A member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) is calling for a shift in priorities regarding the allocation of oil revenues in South Sudan. Changkuoth Bichiock Reth, Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Economic Planning, is urging the Ministry of Finance to suspend funding for infrastructure projects and instead use the money to pay civil servants’ salaries and wages. With a monthly salary arrears of SSP 85 billion for civil servants and organized forces, Reth believes it is crucial to prioritize their payments over infrastructure development.
Reth underscores the imbalance in revenue collection, noting that the Revenue Authority only brings in SSP 40 billion per month from the non-oil sector, which is half of what is needed for salary payments. He suggests redirecting funds from the Nile Blend Oil in Unity State, which contributes significantly to the national coffers, towards clearing the wage arrears.
The government had previously allocated crude oil to Chinese firms for road construction, but Reth is advocating for a reassessment of these projects until a more sustainable solution is found. It is a call to action for the government to prioritize the well-being of its employees over infrastructure development.
[ad_2]
Source link
