By Sabri Dibaco
The deputy governor of Western Equatoria State, Justin Joseph Morona, has confirmed his government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public financial management reforms following a meeting with the National Audit Chamber in Juba.
Speaking during the meeting, Justin Joseph Morona said the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between the state government and the country’s supreme audit institution.
Morona welcomed the enactment of the National Audit Chamber Amendment Act 2026, describing it as a landmark achievement that will strengthen accountability and governance in South Sudan.
“I am very happy to hear that the bill we worked on has now been signed into law. I have been informed that it is among the best audit laws in the region,” Morona said.
Morona noted that Western Equatoria has made significant steps in public financial management, including the preparation and approval of a comprehensive state budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.
He said that the budget is supported by key legal documents, including the Budget Book, Appropriation Act, and Financial Act, which will guide government spending and future auditing processes.
“We now have a solid foundation for generating financial statements and improving accountability in the management of public resources,” Morona stated.
He emphasised that auditing should be viewed as a tool for improving governance rather than punishing public officials.
“Audit is not about accusing people or sending them to jail. It is about assessing how well we manage public resources to improve service delivery, attract investors, and gain the confidence of development partners,” Morona explained.
The deputy governor also revealed plans to conduct awareness campaigns and training for state officials, commissioners, and public servants on public financial management laws and auditing procedures.
He further pledged that Western Equatoria state would work to close its accounts for the 2025/2026 fiscal year by September and submit its financial statements to the National Audit Chamber, potentially becoming the first state since independence to do so within the legal timeframe.
“I urge our development partners to support the Ministry of Finance in Western Equatoria so that we can meet this important milestone and set a record for the state,” Baroda added.
Speaking on behalf of the auditor general, Acting Auditor General Justin Valfredo Odruku welcomed the deputy governor’s visit and praised Western Equatoria’s efforts to strengthen financial management systems.
“We are pleased with the progress being made in Western Equatoria, particularly the establishment of a budget framework that had not existed for many years,” Odruku said.
He encouraged all state institutions to comply with the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act by closing their accounts and submitting financial statements for audit as required by law.
Odruku also pledged the National Audit Chamber’s support in conducting sensitisation workshops and strengthening internal audit systems across government institutions in the state.
“We discussed the need to establish effective systems and controls, especially internal audit mechanisms, in all government institutions to help management identify and address financial irregularities in a timely manner,” Odruku said.
The acting auditor general further commended Marona for his previous role as chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, acknowledging his contribution to the passage of the National Audit Chamber Amendment Act 2026.
The meeting concluded with both parties committing to continued collaboration to advance public financial management reforms, improve accountability, and enhance service delivery in Western Equatoria State and South Sudan at large.