Matia Samuel
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Lawmakers at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) questioned the way the country’s resources are managed as they argued that there is a challenge attributable to financial struggles in the government.
The MPs raised the concerns on Tuesday’s sitting in Juba when they deliberated and endorsed the speech of President Salva Kiir.
Mary Nyaricka, who represents Fangak County in Jonglei State, questioned where the country’s resources, particularly the revenue, are used, noting that the lawmakers and the civil servants have not been paid their salaries.
“We would like to know where the money is. And if we don’t have money, let us close down the offices because we cannot come footing from Gudele Two to the parliament without fuel and food; let alone the citizens,” she complained.
She added, “Even we the MPs are suffering. Because of the money, there is no work; we want our brothers to tell us where the money is because we cannot be working without money, this is an assignment and a contract with the government.”
She stated that the country is talking about holding elections in December without factoring in the financial struggles of the government.
“I know we are talking of going for elections and if the election is in December and we don’t have salaries, are we serious? I believe all of us need humanitarian assistance in our houses otherwise all of us will go to UNMISS,” she added.
Another lawmaker, Nyanchiek Nhial who represents Bor County in Jonglei State faulted President Salva Kiir for changing the ministers of finance and planning without paying attention to the piling salary arrears.
“New ministers are brought to the ministry when they have not cleared the civil servant’s money. You find that a minister is brought behind doors without the assembly knowing,” the MP alleged.
“The organised forces are not paid; their children are not going to school and yet there is oil, this money for the oil who is eating it?”
The civil servants and organized forces across South Sudan have gone for sixmonths without receiving their salaries despite promises by the Ministry of Finance to pay government employees on time.
On Tuesday, the minister of finance and planning, Awow Daniel, said the government struggles to generate revenue as crude oil shipments and sales have been affected by the Sudan war.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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