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Auditor General optimistic of auditing Nilepet despite challenges

By Yiep Joseph

 

The Auditor General (AG), Stephen Wondu, has expressed optimism about conducting an audit of Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet), despite years of unsuccessful attempts.

In 2021, Wondu revealed that Nilepet had not undergone an audit since its establishment. He noted that the company has frequently refused to provide financial documents when requested by the independent auditing body.

Since then, multiple efforts to ensure that the government-owned petroleum company undergoes a review have proven unsuccessful.

Although the Auditor General previously vowed to involve the National Parliament to facilitate the audit, the initiative has yet to materialize.

In an interview on Monday, Wondu reiterated his commitment to auditing Nilepet, regardless of ongoing resistance.

“Not yet (audited); I hope something (audit) will happen in my lifetime,” Wondu said.

He expressed commitment that the Audit Chamber would continue working hard to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the country.

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), echoed Wondu’s concerns, urging the government to prioritize audits of all income-generating institutions.

“CEPO is urging the political leadership of the country to commission an audit of the Nilepet and revenue-generating national institutions,” he said.

He added that transparency and accountability are essential elements of the public funds management system.

“Administering regular public revenue and tax-generating institutions and the government spending institutions is the key to public finance management,” he said.

He also urged Nilepet officials to cooperate with the Auditor General to fulfill his legal responsibilities.

Nilepet is South Sudan’s largest public-sector investment company, having stakes in oil-producing and operating companies as well as in exploration companies.

Recently, the Auditor General conducted an Audit on the 2% oil share for the community. The report revealed a series of irregularities in the management of petroleum revenues.

It revealed that over $50 million—part of the 2% and 3% shares designated for oil-producing states—was misappropriated.

Areas such as the Ruweng Administrative Area, Upper Nile, and Unity States have been deprived of the funds from 2011 to 2020.

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