The Unfortunate Orphans of the Vivacell Saga in South Sudan
3 min readThe government of Juba shut down Vivacell operator Network Company
By Pal Chol Nyan, Juba, South Sudan
March 28, 2018 (SSB) — The government of Juba has shut down Vivacell network yesterday. The closure seems to be connected or marred by conflict of interests. I was amazed at the fastest pace out of which the Vivacell operator network was shut down by the NCA on the stern orders from the above; rendering hundreds of thousands jobless and cutting of communication and business deals.
It was abruptly done as if the end was here with little did they know that it will have deleterious impacts on the employees. Now the employees will not be able to pay school fees for their children, feed their families, rent houses and meet other amenities.
Highly placed government source says the Company is supporting the FDs and they use their shares to fund what the source called their “subversive activities. The government spokesman said they were closing it down because the company does not want to reduce the calls tariffs and that it is not complying with the regulations of the government. The other narrative says the company owes the government some arrears of taxes.
When the decision to shut the company down was taken, I believe the fate of the locals and foreigners employed was not considered because those who shut the company down are eating, drinking and feasting daily while overseeing the war.
Why are people being forced to bend their knees to something that cannot be seen or withering away? I will be the last man to believe that it is about taxes not paid to the government. The vulnerable South Sudanese who are now in limbo should be prepared to hear more than this. It was websites, Miraya and now Vivacell.
The author, Pal Chol Nyan, is a Graduate from the College of Radiological Medical Sciences from Sudan University of Sciences and Technology. He also holds a Diploma in Teaching Methodology and a Diploma in General Medical Sciences. He was a red army soldier, a former Primary school teacher, currently serving as a General Medical Practitioner in Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan. He is a columnist with local newspapers in Juba/South Sudan and contributes in many websites about social, security and economic. You can reach him via his email: palcholnyan2016@gmail.com
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