BRIEFS: South Sudan Assembly faces tough budget choices

By Isaac Vuni

January 22, 2009 (JUBA) – The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly convened to discuss the 2009 budget at a time when the steep decline in oil prices will make revenues foreseeably lower this year than last, weakening the spending of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), which relies on an oil revenue sharing arrangement with the northern rulers.

Different MPs, who are mostly appointed by the ruling party of the South, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) until a general election takes place scheduled for 2009, presented their diverse concerns and suggestions for dealing with the issue.

The debate consequently involved discussion of the perceived accomplishments and failures of the last four years, the period since GOSS was established in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005.

There were 104 legislators present plus ten cabinet ministers. The debate ended at 6 p.m. and will continue tomorrow from 10 a.m.

INFRASTRUCTURE

David Atorbi, the minister of roads and transportation said Juba road construction has been delayed partly because of funding shortage from finance and the failure of donors to commit to their pledges. An expansive road-building plan had originally been part of the post-war vision of John Garang de Mabior, the late SPLM founder.

Hon. John Luk Jok, minister of energy and mining, said seven billion dollars would be needed for construction of Fulla hydroelectric power for South Sudan. The minister regretted recently signed contracts on construction of the project with Chains Company, whose feasability study will take three years while the other contract was signed by GOSS with a Germany company.

Hon. Dr. Tobyi Madut said that primary health care must be considered as a priority in the 80 counties of the south. Therefore, there was no need of cutting the health budget as recommended by the Economic Sector Committee.

AGRICULTURE

Hon. Remijo Lasu Peter recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture embark on capacity-building rather than importing food from abroad. He voiced opposition to sending money from the reduced budget to a reserve account at time when hundreds southerners are suffering,.

Hon. Jimmy Wongo Miji said that developing a strategic food reserve was vital and has to be taken care of by the minister of finance.

Legislators complained that Fisheries Minister Festu Kumba has failed to render a report to the August House besides failing to construct a mere poultry unit which would reduce reliance on exorbitantly priced imported chickens and eggs from neighbouring countries.

However, the minister defended himself urging that they decided to downsize the 2009 budget because the ministry of finance last year failed to transfer money.

EDUCATION AND MEDIA

Hon. Dr. Tobyi Madut argued that demands to transfer three universities to their original places should not create friction between the north and south. The issue arises from the centralization of higher education in Khartoum, including even southern universities. Madut advocated that instead of demanding this, additional new ones be constructed.

Hon. Ester Ikere reminded the August House that their approved research council has not yet taken off and wondered what has become of the approved money.

Hon. Nartisio Loluke indicated that some reasonable budget cuts had been made. He did not question the motive of not catering for technical education in the minister of education’s budget nor have they budget for feeding of school children, he said. He explained also that students going for scholarship should pay something small rather than letting the whole fee be handled by the government. Additionally he appealed to the minister of presidential affairs to a ensure research institute was fully implemented.

Hon. Gier Chuang, minister of telecommunication and postal services, said money for a gateway was approved in May 2007 and that they got two gateways now in Gumba. However he added that the National Telecommunication Corporation control them from Khartoum, adding that the ICT agency in Juba needs a parallel arrangement for the coming election. With gateway on, there will be no more cheating from Khartoum, the minister assured.

But the minister’s testimony did not satisfy all, as Hon. Jimmy Wongo Miji criticized him for not adequately answering a question on who owns Gemtel, a Southern Sudanese telecom company of unknown ownership.

On the other hand, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Gabriel Changson, suggested adoption of a budget implementation review process in the August House. He told the House that his ministry managed to trained 90 staff, 45 in South Africa and 45 in Nairobi, which prompted the ministry to overspend 4.4 million Sudanese pounds from supplementary budget while printing press money was not used. He added that six cars were bought for radio and TV stations while four FM transmitters for states are now waiting installation.

Equipments in Abyei ,Southern Blue Nile and Kordofan have arrived and are waiting dispatching to their locations soon. He went on assuring the August House that before end of February this year, Juba, Wau and Malakal will be fully connected, but appealed to it to avail money for effective coverage of the coming election.

SECURITY

Security issues dominated other recent debates in the Assembly, but did not predominate in this one, though concerns did arise. Hon. Loluke noted that there are 20 children of Lopa County abducted by Murle and appealed to Goss authority for their immediate release. The abductions occur during Bor-Murle raiding in Jonglei.

FINANCES AND ADMINISTRATION

Hon Loluke suggested that undersecretaries should be reshuffled like ministers because they are partly prompting corruption.

Hon. Speaker Wani emphasized that the August House has two times requested that ministers submit their quarterly report but none heeded their humble request.

Hon. Abeny Nataniel Anai challenged constitutional post-holders seeking medical treatment abroad to instead use those funds to build better hospitals in the South.

GOSS ministers were summoned for an update but refused to appear before a specialized legislative committee, remarked Hon. Agnes Lasuba.

Hon. Dr. Jimmy Wongo Miji appealed to ministers and GOSS leaders to refrain from acquiring luxury vehicles to reduce energy consumption. He also urges minister of finance to regulate money changers at custom market run by only one ethnic community.

Hon. Arthur Akuein, the former minister of finance, stated that if GOSS does not establish an audit chamber, corruption allegations would be based on rumours and nobody will be arrested or prosecuted.

(ST)