Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The proposed budget is almost double the current budget of SSP 1.4 trillion that was approved in September 2022, with an SSP 560 billion deficit.
The Ministry of Finance will have to look for SSP 82.5 billion externally to fund the SSP 2.5 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2023–24.
The ministry of finance and planning tabled the budget estimate before the Council of Ministers during its weekly meeting every Friday.
Dior Tong Ngor, minister of finance and planning, also gave the last fiscal year’s quarterly report in order to provide the government with an assessment of the economic situation, according to a government spokesperson, Michael Makuei.
Makuei said the new budget includes a new salary structure for civil servants.
The minister of finance has until the end of April to submit the budget estimates to the council of ministers so that they can be considered by the parliament by May.
“The proposal was approved, and thereafter he is directed to go and put it in budgetary form because this is just the amount that has been proposed.
“So he is directed to go and put it in budgetary form with the institutions, after which he will present it again to the cabinet for consideration.
The government budget will revert to the traditional June-June calendar after last year’s tinkering with the plan. The current budget was passed about six months ago.
During the opening of the first session on Monday, Speaker of the Transitional Legislature, Jemma Nunu Kumba, asked the minister of finance to present the budget by next month for the house to have enough time to debate the proposal, which is in line with the requirement of the Transitional Constitution, 2011, as amended.
This new budget plan represents an SSP 1.1 trillion increase from the current budget of SSP 1.4 trillion that was approved in September 2022, with an SSP 560 billion deficit.
The National Revenue Authority had planned to collect SPP832 billion from oil and non-oil sources of revenue, but the SSP560 billion deficit only suggests that the government will need to find another source to make up the shortfall.
Part of that budget will foot the lavish lifestyle of MPs who are set to enjoy a heavy pack, including a $50,000 car loan and medical insurance that will see the exchequer cough out close to 100 million dollars.
The legislators have also vociferously supported raising the salary of government employees, soldiers, and members of the armed forces, including recent unified forces graduates.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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