Unity Oilfield in South Sudan’s Unity state [Photo credit is unknown]

JUBA – A team of United Nations investigators has asked all Chinese companies in war-torn South Sudan to provide details on how the country’s petroleum revenue are remitted to the government as the group said they have information that the money has not been transferred to the government via legal means.

The UN Panel of Experts said in a letter addressed to the DPOC, one of the Chinese companies operating in South Sudan’s oil sector, said it has reports of misappropriation of public funds as well as lack of transparency.

“The Panel seeking clarification on the financial transactions that DPOC has made to the government and Nilepet. The Panel is seeking detailed responses because the Panel has received information that DPOC has not remitted the payment to the Bank of South Sudan for yearly surface rental fees,” the letter dated February 16 and seen by Sudans Post says.

The UN panel of experts also says it is “concerned that the public revenue Nilepet has earned from its eight percent stake in the consortium has not been transferred from DPOC accounts transparently.” - Sudans Post