Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan parliament has directed the ministry of finance and planning to suspend the transfer of at least $1.5 million to a foreign company for the construction of a thermal power plant in the world’s youngest country.
In a letter dated 25th May 2022, the deputy minister of finance and planning Moses Agok Makur directed the central bank governor to release the funds to a foreign company that is contracted by the ministry for the construction of the power plant.
The letter, seen by Sudans Post, sparked debate on social media with activists questioning the behind the government’s decision to dumb the Fulla Dam project for a costive and unreliable project such as the import of thermal power plant.
“With Directive by Hon. Minister of Finance and Planning of Republic of South Sudan, the office of Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning present its compliments to your esteemed office to approval of the issue swift MT760 of facilitate Transfer of 1,500,000,000 (One Billion Five Hundred Million United State Dollars Only) for the construction of 600MW thermal power Plant,” deputy minister Makur said in the letter directed to the central bank.
But in a letter directed to the minister of finance Agak Achuil, chairperson of finance and economic committee at the parliament Changkuoth Bichiok Reth directed the finance ministry to suspend the transfer of the money until further notice and summon the minister to answer parliamentary questions.
“The Committee on Finance and Economic Planning was shocked to come across your letter dated 25th May, 2202 with the reference no. RSS/MOF&P/DMO/J/5/25/2022 approving the transfer of USD 1,500,000,000 (One Billion Five Hundred Million United State Dollars Only) for construction of 600MW Thermal Power Plant Grid & Transmission Line,” the MP said in the letter.
“With this letter, the Committee on Finance and Economic Planning of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly is directing you to suspend the transfer of the above mentioned amount immediately,” he added.
He further said that “The Committee also request you and your technical team to appear before National Legislative Assembly as directed in the other letter dated 30th June 2022 to answer some questions on this and others.”
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