Sudan's Gezira State: Ghosts in the Civil Service

09:50 PM May, 25 2016

Sudanese Online
Sudan Democracy First Group-
My Library
Short URL

"The Sudanese people encounter instances of corruption and lack of transparency on a daily basis. The Sudan Democracy First Group launched a project, the Sudan Transparency Initiative, to research, document and disseminate credible information about these illicit practices. The following story is part of this initiative."

Sudan's Gezira State: Ghosts in the Civil Service

The Gezira Scheme in Sudan is one of the largest naturally irrigated projects in the world. Situated just south of the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers at the capital city of Khartoum, it covers an area of 23,373 square kilometres (14,523 sq. miles), about 80% of the land of the State. Since its inception and the ensuing economic prosperity it brought to the country, the Gezira became an attracting state for many people from different parts of the country. In the census of 2008, the total population of the state reached 3,571.000, 12.8% of the total Sudanese population. As such, the Gezira State is the third most populated states in Sudan. Consequently, this has led to an expanded government administration that has around 68,000 civil servants distributed between eight Ministries and eight Localities. The total allocation for Chapter one (salaries) of the fiscal and financial budget of the state is estimated as 79 million Sudanese Pound (SDG).

The large size of the civil service, the weak institutions and the lack of accountability has created a fertile environment for corruption. One of the most serious examples of such practice is the payment of salaries to ghost employees such as those who resigned from theirs jobs, dismissed, diseased, or on leave-without-pay. Although these illicit practices have been uncovered more than once by the Auditor General, no serious action was taken by the state government to combat such practices or bring the perpetrators to justice.

When the Auditor General report of 2012 and 2013, repeated previously uncovered illicit practices in the civil services, some members of the legislative Assembly, started a strong campaign regarding the inaction of the executive hand of the government. The executive reaction to these criticism and campaign was to use its political influence to silence these voices instead of addressing the problem. Despite the executive branch of the government reaction, the Auditor General continued to highlight these illegal practices in the civil service. The 2014 report spoke about specific cases of corruption in the selection and appointment in the civil services. These included the hiring of employees who lack academic qualification by the Investment Department, between 1st September 2014 and 13th August 2015, the missing of 47 employees’ files and twenty two newly issued birth certificates added to employees’ file at the Department of Water Authority, long after the date of their appointment in breach to the Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Moreover, the report stated that the lack of coordination between the different departments, Ministry and Localities, especially in administration and finance, has created an enabling environment to such illicit practices.

In an unexpected and surprising move, the recently appointed Governor of the Gezira state disclosed that monthly salaries of 142 ghost civil servants were deposited in bank accounts, but nobody approached the bank to claim these funds. He also indicated that the payroll included nine names of diseased civil servants whose salaries are collected on monthly basis by unknown persons. The Governor further said “internal and general auditing of Ministries and Localities uncovered that hundreds of civil servants who are currently employed do not have record or qualifications for recruitment in the civil service of the state.” The people of the Gezira State were sceptical about this statement, because they are not used to hearing such official admission about the existence of corruption, from any official leave alone the governor. As such, most of observers justify the sudden turn around to the internal political squabbling within the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), and the talk about corruption was just a means to settle political scores.

Analyzing Corruption in the Employees' Salaries:
In order to analyze this corrupt situation, we need to review the standard administrative and accounting procedures followed to prepare the monthly salaries of employees. The responsibility to prepare the monthly pay roll rests on the Accounting Department which begins this task by counting the number of employees in the unit and comparing the total to its previous month’s records and then makes all necessary changes as indicated the Human Resources Department. The Accounts Department lists the basic salary, bonuses and benefits in front of the name of each employee and then subtracts contributions to pension, social and health insurance to reach net salaries. The Accounting Department then submits the final payroll to review by the internal auditor, who only verifies the salaries, bonuses and subtractions figures but not the eligibility of the names listed. The payroll then endorsed and signed by the General Directors of all departments before submitting to the Ministry of Finance which in turn issue checks of the total sum of salaries to each department.

Each department in turn, pays cash salaries to employees through its own teller window. The disbursement of salaries is governed by a strict Financial and Accounting procedures that requires tellers to pay salaries to employees in person or a representative who produce a legal authorization to receive the salary on behave of an employee or a group of employees. However, tellers are not always abided by these procedures; in fact, most often violated. For example, many schools would send a representative from the school to the Ministry of Education or to the education offices in localities to the collect salaries of the said school’s employees. The tellers at Ministry of Education or education offices, acting based on trust and experience, does not ask the representative for the legal authorization signed by all employees for whom he/she is collecting salaries.

As such, the tellers would disburse the salaries without verifying whether these employees are employed and report to work or not. Another example that also testify to these type of corruption, is the deliberate neglect, slow and inaccurate updating of employees’ records. A teacher took a one year leave without pay to accompany her husband abroad. However, when her leave expired she continued to her stay abroad for twelve years without prior permission or extension of the leave. Upon return to Sudan, she submitted an application to return to her previous position, as a teacher, under the assumption that her employment was terminated because of a long absence. However, and to her surprise, she discovered that her employment was not terminated, her regular promotions were kept and her salary was paid on monthly basis to an unknown person.

From the narrative above, it is obvious that corruption in the civil services is rampant. However, ghost employment has a lot to do with the limited role of the Human Resources Department in payroll preparation, review and approval

Solutions:
From the above analysis, it is clear that the recent introduction of the direct deposit of salaried in bank accounts has made it possible to uncover the ghost employees phenomena. However, while this is good step in the right direction, combating corruption in the civil service requires more measures including the trial of all employees who facilitate or commit these crimes to the court of law. It is not enough to talk about the number of ghost employees and the wasted funds consumed by their salaries, especially when the investigation uncover a web of personal and group financial and political interests that stands behind these practices. The only deterrence that would stop employees from engaging in type of crimes is to abolish impunity and let the law take precedence over political and kinship relations.

In addition to the legal course of action that would eradicate impunity, administrative and institutional improvement is required to lessen the likelihood of corruption in government institutions. A good example of such an intervention is to establish close coordination between all concerned departments during preparation payrolls, to allow for cross checking and verification. It is also important to strictly apply the rules and regulation enshrined in financial procedures documents and the Civil Service Acts. Administrative reprimand and punishment for those who violates these rules would set the record straight and serve as a deterrent.

Conclusion:
In spite of the statements of the government officials, whether in the national or state levels and their readiness and commitment to combat corruption through the enactment of existing and new anti-corruption laws, nonetheless, observers believe that these statements are merely made to absorb the anger of the public after many corruption stories have surfaced and became the talk of the people. Moreover, no legal proceedings or serious investigations have ever been carried regarding any of the cases mentioned in the annual Auditor General reports and many people believe this will never happen since most of those involved in these cases are members of the ruling party or their relative.




Topics related to the subject or the author

FM: Sudan has managed to achieve zero problems with neighbors

Foreign Minister of Sudan Arrives in Italy

Foreign Minister receives British Envoy for Sudan

Sudanese FM criticises French policy towards his country

President Al-Bashir Calls on New Ambassadors to Work for Enhancing Sudan Foreign Relations

Egypt affirms sovereignty over Hala’ib Triangle amid renewed Sudanese contestation

Sudan is keen to end problems with neighbours

Sudan, Kuwait discuss bilateral relations, sign number of agreements

Report and Pictures on a Tour of the Secretary-General of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement –

Foreign Minister meets with German State Minister for Defense

Sudan, Poland Sign Joint Cooperation Agreement on Several Fields

Meeting of Sudanese - Bulgarian Consultative Committee Held in Khartoum

More than 8,000 Sudanese reached Italy by sea in 2015: UNHCR

Ghandour Receives Ambassador of Finland

President Al-Bashir Receives Message from Egyptian President

Russia Affirms unlimited Support to Sudan, Calls for Lifting Sanctions imposed on it

Sudan continues Syria operations’: Minister

EU injects €100 million, calls for end to Sudan conflicts

President Al-Bashir leaves for Egypt

European Union calls for ending conflicts in Sudan

European Union welcomes the visit of Ghandour to Brussels

Foreign Minister Receives Delegation of Egypt External Affairs Council

The pressing need for an effective role of UNAMID in Darfur

Prof. Ghandour Meets with Head of UNAMID and International Envoy for Libya

Israel interested in ties with Sudan, deputy defense minister says

Conference of Arab and India Foreign Ministers Affirms Support to Sudan

Sudan said willing to consider normalizing ties with Israel

South Sudan, Sudan relations under threat over oil transit fees

Sudan openly mulling ties with Israel

Dismantling IDPs Camps in Darfur, a New Crime in a Saga of Calamity

Headlines of Khartoum Newspapers on Jan 11

Sudan is not intermediary between Egypt, Ethiopia in GERD issue: Ghandour

Ali Al-Sadig:Visit of South Sudan Foreign Minister comes in context of Participation in 60th Annive

Ghandour Receives Message from his Russian Counterparty on 60th Anniversary for Sudanese - Russian

Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan sign new deal on Nile dam

Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan sign historic accord on Renaissance Dam

Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan meet over Renaissance Dam

Arrangements of Belarusian President's visit to Sudan discussed

Sudan's FM says agreement on Ethiopian dam could be reached by end of December

Prof. Ghandour: Sudan was One of First Countries that Cooperated with China Economically

Egypt, Sudan move to overcome tension after death of Sudanese migrants in Sinai

Egyptian FM Affirms his country keenness to provide security and safety for Sudanese citizens

Foreign Minister, Qatari Ambassador discuss relations between Sudan and Qatar

FM briefs US Congress delegation on situation in the Country

Ghandour to Head Sudan Delegation for Arab - South American Ministerial Meeting

Saudi Arabia to finance Sudanese agriculture, dams projects

India must arrest Sudan’s Al Bashir: ICC

Prof. Ghandour Appreciates India Decision to Exempt African Products from Customs

Sudan govt. will only talk with armed movements in Addis

Sudanese govt. willing to meet rebels in Addis Ababa

UN secretary-general urges Sudan to talk to rebels

Sudan Decries ICC Warrant as President Bashir Visits China

More opposition parties applaud AU statements on Sudan

Special envoy inquires about Sudan's gum Arabic for US market

Sudan requests AU to renew efforts towards lifting of sanctions

Russian Foreign Minister invites his Sudanese counterpart to visit Moscow in September

Sudan and German discuss the national dialogue, illegal immigration and human trafficking issues

Al-Bashir would continue to participate in AU’s summits: Sudan’s Foreign Minister

Attempt to arrest the president in Johannesburg is “a sheer rumor and baseless” Sudan’s Foreign Min

Sudan’s Foreign Minister briefs the Russian ambassador on the situation in Darfur

Sudan’s president and his Eritrean counterpart review the bilateral relations and other issues

Britain’s ambassador confirms his government's support for the dialogue

European Union Ambassador warns against rising extremism in the region

There is difference between us and the AUHIP head: Sudan’s government

Sudan’s Government tells IGAD that it will meet the opposition after the elections

Sudanese parties agree to unconditional dialogue in Addis: Menkerios

German delegation briefs Sudan officials on Berlin forum

The International community agrees that Sudan is an oasis of peace in the region: presidential assi

National Liberation and Justice Party launched in Sudan’s capital

Darfur authority stresses that improvement of U.S-Sudanese relations will bring peace

China stresses it will support Sudan in all international forums

We agreed with Washington to continue the dialogue: Sudan says

Rubber bullets rain on Sudanese demonstrators

Britain calls on Sudan to allow a new investigation of 221 women in Darfur

Sudan welcomes any U.S help to solve the Two Areas crisis

Sudanese top official in Washington today

Activists oppose Sudanese govt. officials visit to USA

China promises to cement the political trust with Sudan

China pledges stronger exchanges with Sudan

Strategic dialogue between Sudan and China begins in Beijing

Sudan stresses that the call to boycott the elections by the opposition is contrary to law

Troika supports negotiations between Sudan’s government and the rebel SPLM-N

West Kordofan governor stresses that the security situations is stable

Sudan calls on (UNSC) to cancel resolution 1593 which referred the Darfur file to ICC

African Mechanism suspends Addis Ababa talks between Sudanese government and rebels

80% of Sudan’s MPs ruling party excluded from the upcoming elections

Suspending of the negotiations between Sudan’s government and the rebel (SPLM-N)

Government and SPLM-North resume talks in Addis Ababa

No problems in our relations with the world: Sudanese President says

Sudan accuses the rebel SPLM-N of wasting time over negotiations

Negotiations with the rebels hampered by foreign circles don't want peace: Sudan’s government

SPLM-N wanted to discuss other issues than the Tow Areas issues : Sudan’s government

An important Statement No (17 ) by Commander / Ismail Khamis Galab The former Governor of Sou

Sudan’s government and rebel SPLM-N resume talks amid presence of the political forces leaders

Sudan’s national dialogue committee tasks the presidential assistant to meet the armed movements in

African Centre for Human Rights Studies send proposal for talks between Sudan and rebel SPLM-N

African Union adjourns talks between Sudan’s government and the rebel (SPLM-N)

Statement No. (16) from Commander / Ismail Khamis Jalab The former Governor of South Kordufan / Nub

Sudan’s government and the rebels accuse each other of irresponsibility and lack of seriousness

The (7) rounds of negotiations between Sudan’s Government and SPLM-N starts today

Council’s Leadership will consider the Governors’ issue: Sudan’s government

Sudan’s (7+7) committee participates in Addis Ababa dialogue on November 12: official

Sudan stresses it willing to negotiate with SPLM-N

Relations between Khartoum and Tripoli is moving in the right direction: Sudan’s Foreign Minister s

Sudan PM calls for involvement of the Two Areas citizens in the negotiations

Mbeki discusses with Al-Bashir the national dialogue and negotiations on Darfur and the Two Areas

Sudan’s ruling party nominates Al-Bashir and 4 other for the presidential elections

SPLM-North describes as lie government’s statement on talks

Ghandour: Government receives invitation on resumption of talks with SPLM-North

Government: Talks on two areas with SPLM-North will be based on Naivasha agreement

Chief government negotiator calls on rebels counterpart to come to peace with faith

Assistant to Sudanese President calls on Arab countries to invest in his country

Sudanese government rejects cease fire in two areas

European Union Ambassador call on Sudan to thrust with an inclusive National Dialogue

SPLM-North considers statement of Prof. Ghandour on new talks as lie

Assistant to Sudanese president is due to meet opposition leaders in Berlin

Paris Declaration signatories to meet with AUHIP chairman: Sudan’s Umma Party

Sudanese assistant admits challenges in foreign relations

Sudanese presidency to launch new dialogue initiative

Dialogue mechanism agrees on roadmap

Ghandour: Al-Mahdi did not wash his hands off dialogue

Opposition: National congress uses state’s resources to win elections

Ghandour: Elections postponement is possible if based on dialogue

Government pledges to remove obstacles before press

Ghandour: Corruption is not new in governments of Sudan

NCP: President will hold meeting on dialogue mechanism soon

Key Iran role in Sudan arms

‘No room for Sudan Revolutionary Front in peace talks’: Ghandour

SPLM in Sudan affirms readiness to reach comprehensive solution

Government and SPLM to resume talks in Ababa talks

Government, journalists to discuss barriers on press on Monday

Sudan Government says Addis Ababa talks delayed for so long

Sudanese civilians terrorised by capricious militia

Prof. Ghandour: Time has come for the Sudanese people to get rest

Sudan affirms keenness to reactivate mechanisms of Sahel and Sahara grouping

On eve of Addis Ababa talks SPLM accuses government delegation of trying to spoil negotiation

Sudan reveals details of reform document to European Union delegation

Assistant to Sudanese President calls on Arab countries to invest in h