Over 100 ghost names found in Greater Pibor civil service payroll

PIBOR – Authorities in South Sudan’s Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) have concluded a verification exercise on the government payroll, uncovering 113 so-called “ghost names” that have been receiving salaries despite being absent from work for years.

The verification, launched earlier this month, was aimed at cleaning up the payroll system to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Wednesday via phone from Pibor GPAA Minister of Information Jacob Werchum Juok confirmed the conclusion of the process, stressing that the identification of ghost names marks a turning point in government efforts to combat corruption and restore public confidence.

“We have completed the verification of civil servants across the administrative area. Out of the entire list, 113 names were found to have been absent from duty for many years but still appeared on the payroll.” Werchum said.

He added that the findings would help pave the way for reforms in the civil service, ensuring that only qualified and present workers are paid.

He added that the findings will be presented to the state chief administrator and discussed in the next cabinet meeting.

“The leadership of GPAA is committed to accountability and transparency. Those who were found to be absent will be presented and will be deliberated by the cabinet, the cabinet will make a decision,” the minister stressed.

He said at least 12 people were identified to be deceased in the payroll.

The Issue of ghost names has been a recurring challenge in South Sudan’s government payroll system, where thousands of individuals listed as employees continue to draw salaries despite not working in their designated positions.

Werchum urged civil servants to take their responsibilities seriously, noting that stricter monitoring mechanisms would now follow the verification exercise.

“Some of these civil servants have different times they spend out of work, some of them have taken leave, and others have decided to leave their work duties without permission and have spent more than 2 years,” said Werchum.

The removal of 113 ghost names is expected to free up resources for essential services and pave the way for the recruitment of new staff in critical sectors such as education, health, and local administration.