South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Simon Deng
The Governor of Jonglei State, Mahjoub Biel Turuk, denied on Thursday that his office and other top government officials were misusing taxpayers’ money to maintain their flamboyant lifestyle.
Turuk was forced to defend himself at a press conference held in Juba, at the Jonglei State Coordination Office, where he said that the State government collects about 190,000 U.S dollars in personal income tax (PIT) per month contrary to claims on social media of 400,000 dollars.
He also said that the State revenues are kept in Ecobank and cooperative bank.
Turuk’s revelations came in the aftermath of reports on social media claiming that he spends State resources lavishly to sustain his family.
For example, he disclosed that 31,000 dollars has been allocated To the Governor’s office of which 10,000 dollars is meant for his office operation, 6000 dollars for the family house rent in Juba, and 9000 dollars for car rent services and 6000 dollars for security services.
In addition, he said that his deputy is allocated 22,000 dollars for house rent and car rent services and 3,600 dollars is paid to six advisors of the governor of Jonglei State.
Turuk said the 17 ministers and heads of State Commissions and their deputies receive 15,350 dollars for similar services and the 100 members of the state parliament in the Jonglei receive 23,000 dollars for the same.
He added that his government has reserved 7400 dollars for assistance to citizens requiring medical treatment and 3000 dollars for various government pledges and ceremonies.
“A total of 60,000 dollars is allocated for security in the state including 27,00o dollars for troops stationed in Biothagany, covering food and other essentials for the 75 troops and 33000 dollars for emergency security issues,” said Turuk.