![South Sudan activist Edmund Yakani. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Djfq2jGW0AAJpdg.png?resize=799%2C410&ssl=1)
On Tuesday, the Governor Alfred Futuyo distributed cars to senior government officials, saying they have been going on foot due to lack of revenues from the state to secure cars for them, but a spokesman for him refused to disclose the amount spent in an interview with Sudans Post.
In a statement, Yakani who is also the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) called on the government of General Futuyo to disclose to the amount of money it spent on cars.
“CEPO is urging the leadership of Western Equatoria state to sincerely and concretely clear the public augment which is between false and true over the value of purchasing state government vehicles,” he said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.
“The state government failure in not providing factual information may give great chance for misinformation to take leave in shaping the reality before the public,” he added.
The prominent activist further stressed that “it is essential for the political leadership of the Western Equatoria State to preserve public interest because transparency in the government or public procurement is an essential aspect of winning public.”
The news alleging that the government of Western Equatoria State had spent $132,000,000.00 on 11 cars had drawn interest beyond South Sudan. It is an issue that should not be taken lightly because there is no where in the World where a government that is struggling to food its people can spent $12,000,000.00 on an SUV. A proper investigation, perhaps a criminal one should commence immediately to get to the bottom of how such amount of money could be spent on 11 cars. If confirmed, that 132,000,000.00 was used to purchase 11 cars, then the governor of Western Equatoria must have to return the money.