Garang Kuol Mabior, Chairperson of the Assembly’s Information Committee, told reporters on Wednesday that the assembly summoned the Minister of Local Government alongside the Director of Civil Defence on Tuesday to respond to concerns over growing tensions between the director and dismissed staff members.
Kuol explained that legislators pressed the officials with questions following reports that the director had unlawfully dismissed several staff.
“We summoned the Minister of Local Government, who appeared with the police commissioner and the Director of Civil Defence, Mr. William Liol, who is accused of dismissing many staff in inappropriate ways. These concerns were raised through the Peace, Security and Good Governance Committee headed by Hon. Santino Wol Aluk,” Kuol said.
He added that the assembly subsequently formed a committee to investigate the matter. “The committee will meet with the dismissed staff and report back to the assembly along with the minister of local government,” he noted.
In addition to the dismissal allegations, Kuol revealed that Director Liol is also accused of forming unauthorised groups that have been collecting taxes in Aweil, the state capital. Legislators say this mandate does not fall under the Civil Defence and pledged that the matter will also be investigated.
Separately, Kuol disclosed that the State Minister of Education, Hon. Akoon Diing Akoon, has been summoned to appear before the assembly. The minister is expected to face questions over allegations that he unilaterally doubled examination and registration fees for students preparing to sit for the national exams later this year.
“Lawmakers received a circular from Juba outlining official exam fees. However, the minister is accused of imposing higher charges on his own, which goes against the directive,” Kuol said.
The assembly is set to deliberate on both matters in the coming days, with observers keen to see how lawmakers will hold the education minister accountable.
