South Sudan ministers challenged in heated debate over budget
By Isaac Vuni
January 21, 2009 (JUBA) – After delays the 2009 budget observations and recommendations were read to the South Sudan parliament, today, in its second reading chaired by Hon. Speaker James Wani Igga and attended by twelve out of 23 cabinet ministers.
Hon. Prof. Barri Arckangelo Wanji noted that there are many qualified south Sudanese who could effectively plan the economy of South Sudan but Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) has failed to utilize their expertise, instead hiring foreigners to do their job.
Wanji challenged minister of finance to show Sudanese public the number of schools, hospital and roads constructed during the last three years to justify that real development is taking place.
”What a shame on the minister of finance who sent money to foreign countries of Kenya and Uganda and only distributed to relatives rather than desperate and deserving southern Sudanese student children,” he said.
The parliamentarian cautioned the August House that if there were corruption, people who are involved should not only be persecuted but whatever they stole be retrieved as example to others anticipating to enrich themselves with government property.
It was also strongly recommended during the debate the establishment of an oil refinery in south Sudan and construction of hydroelectric power plant to avoid high dependency on foreign handouts.
The committee also observed that the strategic Ministry of Information channels of radio and television are not covering the whole South as earlier claimed by Information Minister Gabriel Changson, despite adequate funds released by parliament in lump sum amount last year.
Nevertheless, the minister of telecommunication was lauded for having kept his promised of acquiring and setting up a gateway for south Sudan now due for launching next month.
Hon. Wanji led Committee of Economic Sector in calling upon Goss to immediately pay teachers arrears.
He further disclosed that some legislators have received donations from various international organizations and wondered how a reputable organization could make such donation to an MP.
In order to avoid misappropriation, money should be transferred to SPLA and other institutions in this year’s budget through the bank, said Wanji, rather than transporting cash in boxes.
The economic sector committee also directed state assemblies in south to legislate on issues that affect people they are representing than struggling and quarrelling for personal gain.
Multiple taxes collected at border entry hinders effective revenue collection and submission to Goss ministry of finance, said Wanji.
Where on earth do you prepare a budget without involving central bank of south Sudan? he also posited.
Contributing to budget debate, Hon. Henry Oduwar observed that the last three years the Goss account has not been audited nor was the August House updated on usage of budget they approved as to whether it was spent correctly or misappropriated. He further wondered why President Kiir has failed to replace the auditor general who was reprimanded by the August House for inefficiency.
Hon. Wol Atak suggested the creation of microfinance jobs for youth while reducing taxes on imported goods.
Hon. Rebecca Mabior observed that the budget for war wounded was not properly done as the commission was not consulted. She also appealed to Ministry of Agriculture to reach out to the people who are ready and willing to become role models to others, saying that Goss should distribute assets equally to the ten states of the South to avoid people going back to yet another war.
The money reduced from other ministries because they underspend should be taken to a reserve fund that will in turn benefit the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare which catering to war heroes and heroines, she suggested.
Hon. Anthony Lino Makana complained of his Ministry being unfairly treated by the economic sector committee for failing to present a work plan, which the minister claimed to have presented at a workshop attended by Hon. Wanji. But Speaker Wani Igga ruled that work plans are normally presented to the August House.
Hon. Martin Elias Lomuro said that voter and civic education are vital for free fair and democratic elections, requiring his Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to educate the states’ parliamentarians on the same. The minister also complained of misappropriation, saying the economic committee was making use of political analysis rather than an economic point of view
There were 116 legislators in the budget debate and eleven cabinet ministers, advisers and commissioners of specialized committees.
The debate ended at 6:09 p.m. Sudan local time.
It is to be recalled that the budget was presented to the August House on December 15, 2008 and according to conduct of business regulation section 88, if a budget is not passed within 45 days, then the region’s president will decree it to be binding as the day elapses on January 30, 2009.
(ST)
Kwaje D
South Sudan ministers challenged in heated debate over budget
Thanks Isaac Vuni for this report.
We really need you and Mr Aleu of Bor to continue your path.
Gatwech
South Sudan ministers challenged in heated debate over budget
Bravo parliament,
It is encouraging that the parliament is getting bolder and serious nowadays to point fingers to the corrupt officials in the GOSS. While it is always difficult to catch a thief especially when that thief enjoys backing from other big brothers, GOSS should not forget that there times when those big brothers may not be there.
GOSS should learn from what happens in Guinea where the new leader has declared that all those Ministers who embezzled money should surrender all these money. I heard this over the BBC today where the former Minister of Finance plus other Ministers have been arrested and are brought before the Anti-corruption body for immediate ivestigations that will lead to prosecution. The new President said the charges will date back to five years of the time the Ministers and other officials stole the public money. The President also said even those who took money abroad will be frozen there and brought back to Guinea. Every think will be confiscated. Not only the Ministers even some big business guys who were given the money by the corrupt administration are also brought trial to declare how they got the money to open such businesses.
To me, this is exactly what will happen when this unfortunate era of theft is brought to an end. Those thieves who have stolen GOSS public money will be charged by that next fair President of GOSS and brought to a serious account. All their money and properties whether inside south Sudan or abroad will be confiscated and retrieved. Those so-called get rich quick business guys who looted the money from teh Ministry of Finance on nepotism qualifications will surrender those business unless they prove beyond any reasonable doubt how they got the money and build such business companies, etc. Every tribal thief in this tribal administration will have to vomit every bit illegally swallowed!!!!
So, bravo, Guinea for the bold action. I also thank the Parliament for think about this action. But it may not happen now, but surely in the next administration!!!
Kur
South Sudan ministers challenged in heated debate over budget
I have got the Southern Sudanese leader who deserves my vote. Mr. Wanji, that all we need. We want to see the parliament working, we want to see the truth being told, we want to see those corrupt people being stopped, and more importantly we want to see those who have stolen public money brought to justice and expelled from the government positions. Where in the world are ministers and generals in the army become payroll adminstrators if it is not for the reason that they want to cheat the innocents? A system to control government use of public resources must be introduced to stop all these stupid corrupt practices from hurting the freedom that we paid for with our own blood.
Kur
Geovanny
South Sudan ministers challenged in heated debate over budget
We appreciate the move made by the parliament to discuss this issue of South Sudan budget becoz only few people those corrupt are the ones only benefiting from this oil money instead of all citizens to benefit.All people have suffered during the war and it seem that only few members who have not even participated during the war are enriching themselves. The suffering is still continuing rather than reducting.
Goss money is of no accountability and everybody is free to do anything with that money like buying cars, building hotels and so forth.Where is the development we’ve been crying for decades.
Thonador
South Sudan ministers challenged in heated debate over budget
Dear all
Allow me to express myself and to release my grievances, Southerners are very poor in planning.For how long people been talking about making of proper budgeting in the South.All ministers in the South are thirsty for money.No development in the South at all.Development will come when the current regime is dead.Think now ministers in the South how many people died? The 116 ministers who made budgeting in the South are all dull minded poor old men who don’t think of good thing in the South accept pro.Wanji.You will die one by one and no reward from God stupid ministers from the South.
Our resources in the South will ask you and the lives of those who perished including my father during war time will question you at night and you will not cross that river again.When a minister dies it is only the family who cries and nobody cries apart from the family.If you want to save your life seperate yourself from that company and you will cross the river and enjoy the fruits with the children.
Amantiel Kem
South Sudan ministers challenged in heated debate over budget
Thank you Prof.Barri and all thhose who contributed positively in that budget debate.This is the kind of correction we the Southerners should be doing if we want our Government to work towards the needs of its people.
It is really great if those who are in the Government can come up boldly and point out anything which seems to be going wrong in the governance like they did.
It is now right time Southerners should work for themselves rather than being worked for by the foreigners.
Let all the advisors and nationalists who are in the Gov’t now advise our President that gone are the days where people enjoyed the honey moon but now is the time for those who know what to.
He (president) should check the Minister for Finance as well as the Minister for Education whether they have done their works effictively in the years gone.
Southern Sudan needs Education as well as development which can mainly come from those ministries though some ministries may contribute.
i really thank you.
kidit
South Sudan ministers challenged in heated debate over budget
Well professor, I gree with you hundred percent. But you went after a wrong person, yes, Kuol Athian is incompetent and distributing money to his relative rampantly, but the appiontment of unqualified people was soley done by Martin Majut, president’s office manager, Juba; Mayen Wol President’s office Manager, Khartoum; and Lual Achuil Lual Minister of presidential affiars, Khartoum. these people plus others are the main reason why qualified southerners are not getting a chance to serve. The President needs to surround himself with people who cares about average southerner not the ones that stagging their personal interests like the people that I have mentioned above. To concern southerners, please Let us refrain from refarous critisms that condemn the whole tribe for mistakes of a few and focus on individuals who put us into this situation. My heart is always with average southerner. Thanks, Kidit