By William Madouk
Auditor General of the National Audit Chamber has announced a plan to release a performance report for Juba-Rumbek road project, possibly next week.
Auditor General, Amb. Stephen Wondu made this remark during a 2-day stakeholder workshop with public accounts committee and parliamentary specialized committees.
The workshop aimed at bridging the gap on oversight duties.
“Next week, I hope I will be releasing for you the performance audit report for the Rumbek road, which officially should have been completed two weeks ago,” Wondu disclosed.
He said the report will give insight to the stakeholders who have a key oversight responsibility.
“I will give you a report on what has happened on that for your use and information. So, please, when you get reports like those, it is your responsibility to deliberate on them and take the appropriate action,” Wondu told the committee.
The Auditor general acknowledged the supreme powers of the citizens in the country, represented by the members of parliament.
“Remember, there is no authority in this country bigger than the authority of the people, and the people are represented by you; even the auditor general serves under your pleasure,” he continued.
Amb. Wondu said the audit report was ready, just waiting for his signature before it would be submitted to the president and the national legislative assembly for scrutiny and further action.
In 2019, the government awarded Shandong Hi-Speed Company a contract to construct the Juba-Terekeka-Yirol-Rumbek road project, which is worth 700 million US dollars after being allocated crude oil.
The 400-kilometre tarmac road is expected to end in Wau, western Bahr El Ghazal state.
In May, the government halted work on the highway after heavy rains and floods washed away parts of the newly spread asphalt.
The layers of gravel under the asphalt were reported to be weak and easily washed off by water.
After undertaking a review and redesign of the project, the company was granted permission to resume construction in December 2020.
The Ministry of Roads and Bridges had projected that a one-kilometre tarmac road would cost the government 1.5 million dollars.
The government pledged to meet the cost gradually by earmarking 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day.