Oil minister Puot Kang reacts to corruption allegations: ‘I am a man integrity’  

JUBA – South Sudan’s minister of petroleum Puot Kang Chol has dismissed, as unfounded, social media allegations in which the minister is accused of accepting at least $7 million in bribes from Chinese companies lobbying for lucrative contracts in the country’s oil sector.

Sirir Gabriel Yiei, the press secretary in the office of the minister, said in a statement extended to Sudans Post that the allegations do not hold water and called on those speculating the claims to come forward with a proof to substantiate their allegations, saying the minister is not corrupt, but a person of integrity.

“The allegations that Hon. Put Kang Chol has been promised a $7 million bribe by Chinese companies and the Apartments are unfounded. They are baseless and untested and we request proof from anyone who has evidence to the contrary to come forward,” Sirir said in the statement.

“With regards to the allegations made …. that Hon. Puot Kang Chol has accepted bribes, the office wants to say this: Hon. Put Kang is a man of integrity who works hard for the betterment of the Country. He is a preacher of transparency and accountability,” he added.

While appealing to the public to disregard the allegations, the statement said the claims are unfounded and called on those responsible for the allegation to provide proves such as names of the companies the minister is alleged to have received the bribes from.

“We, therefore, reiterated that the allegations are false, malicious and defamatory. The office appeal to the general public not to give ears to these baseless, Unprofessional, unfair and disparaging claims from a media platform that operates without media ethics,” the statement said.

“Thus, the office of the Minister demands [to know] the names of the companies, the apartments documents plus the transaction invoices or the office will be filing a defamation case against them,” it threatened.