Sudan Events – Reports
Social Development Minister Ahmed Adam Bakhit condemned the claims of corruption in his ministry and cleared himself of accusations regarding corruption and the lavish spending of state funds.
Bakhit said in a press conference organized by the African Journalists Union on Friday in Port Sudan, “I live in only three rooms,” and mentioned that the building maintenance is carried out by a company through a tender. He also revealed that a journalist from Gedaref state had been invited to visit his home to verify this. He highlighted the issue raised regarding the maintenance of the minister’s car, which was reportedly done for 16 million Sudanese pounds. He pointed out that there is no air conditioner in his office. “We are surprised by this attack and what its motives are,” he added. “We are accused of corruption, and we should go home if our corruption is proven.”
In a different context, the minister stated that his ministry provides services to around 1,220 shelters for displaced persons and contributed $86,000 to the Umm Durman water station. He emphasized that the Ministry of Social Welfare has a significant presence in supporting charitable organizations, pointing out the real suffering of the residents of Umm Durman. “We feel the pain of our people in Umm Durman,” he said. He also added that the ministry has sent 5,000 sacks of maize for displaced people in East Gezira.
Bakhit admitted that the Health Insurance Fund was nearly destroyed due to the war, stating that all human rights violations by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had been documented. He also confirmed that the Pension Fund continues to meet its monthly obligations despite the circumstances of the war. “We found pensioners receiving 3,000 Sudanese pounds, and adjustments have been made to improve pensions,” he said, noting that there are 170,000 pensioners.
