SSLA Approves 2011 Budget Second Reading Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly passed the Government of Southern Sudan’s Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year 2011 during its second reading. The Budget was SDG 5.7 Billion (US$2.1 Billion) compared to SDG 5.6 Billion (US$2.0 Billion) of 2010 with a higher percentage on security.10 March 2011 Hon. Barri Wanji presenting the 2011 budget, Juba [©Marchelo Leopoldo] By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA 8th March 2011[Gurtong] –Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly passed the Government of Southern Sudan’s Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year 2011 during its second reading. The Budget was SDG 5.7 Billion (US$2.1 Billion) compared to SDG 5.6 Billion (US$2.0 Billion) of 2010 with a higher percentage on security.
The reading was presented in an ordinary sitting No: 6/2011 dated Monday 7th March 2011 at the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly- SSLA Main Hall, Juba. During the sessions, the Economic Committee presented several recommendations and observations seen as an effort to minimize the budget utilization. The budget came to its second reading after controversies marred by committees mandated to work on it following its first reading last month. It was presented by Hon. Barri Wanji, the SSLA Chairperson of the Committee for Development, Economy and Finance. During his presentation, Hon. Barri indicated that the GOSS Ministry of Finance and Economy Planning-MFEP should come up with key areas of economic growth. The Committee also examined the strategy for macroeconomic management which includes monetary policies on the southern Sudan economy, social deliveries to the people of southern Sudan and policy of decentralized system. There is need for improved public finance management, all spending institutions in the government including the MFEP should submit to parliament quarterly reports of performance for accountability, transparency and for common good of the people of Southern Sudan, the Committee noted. MFEP should release funds to various ministries to enhance performance. It should also submit Budget Implementation report to parliament in accordance with the Constitution. The Committee also observed that immediate implementation of the development of hydroelectric power for industrialization of Southern Sudan to be prioritized. It identified the revival of key industries of Nzara Agro–industrial Complex, Wau Fruit Factory, Wau Brewery, Tonj Kenaff, Mongala Agro-complex, Kapoeta and Managayat Cement, Upper Taalanga tea and coffee projects, Aweil Rice Scheme, Melut Sugar Factory, Iron Industry in Wau, Malakal Tannery, Gum Africa and Yirol Oil mill. The mentioned industries should be implemented under the Public Private Partnership initiative or direct foreign investment, the Committee proposed. In its presentation it further directed the MFEP to ensure that, all spending agencies to close their accounts at the end of the financial year to enable the Audit Chamber to undertake auditing. The Committee requested that the MFEP should brief the SSLA leadership on reserves, the Bank of Southern Sudan to invest on reserve and participate in the budgeting process by making decisive proposals on monetary policies. Members of Parliament noted and debated on several observations. Despite security being allocated the huge percentage of the budget, the Opposition leadership in the assembly demanded high increase of the security budget, saying that the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-SPLA soldier receives miserable salaries. However, the ruling party in the assembly-Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-SPLM disagreed with the opposition observation saying that the SPLA has many Generals congested at the top. The SSLA is waiting to hear the third reading of the budget next week on Monday. Posted in: Home -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
