S. Sudan governors’ forum to tackle service delivery
November 23, 2013 (JUBA) – This year’s governors’ forum, organised under the auspices of president’s office, will commence next week from 26-29 November.
South Sudan president Salva Kiir will officially open the forum, with MPs, key ministers and development partners expected to attend.
At the forum, there will be discussions and action on policies related to political, fiscal and administrative governance issues.
“In addition, it [forum] offers a platform for a broader discussion on important issues such as corruption, post-independence issues and state-level concerns”, partly reads a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
James Wani Igga, the country’s vice president will facilitate the forum, which shall witness the launch of South Sudan Millennium Development Goals Status report, 2013.
Budgeting process and intergovernmental transfers to the states; access to justice and rule of law perception survey 2013; status of flood across South Sudan and the response of the government and humanitarian agencies, among others, are some of the key issues to be discussed during next week’s forum.
This year’s governors’ forum will be the third ever since the country’s independence in July 2011 and the eleventh in its history.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Edmund Yakani, a civil society activists said he expects the governors to use this as an opportunity for holding the central government accountable over their action and decision especially in regard to fund allocation in the national budget.
“We wish the governors can question officials from the central government over the issues of the pounds devaluation, local government funding and late response to floods situation”, he told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
Yakani, also the executive director of Community Empowerement for Progress Organisation (CEPO) said the “weak” implementation of the governors’ resolution on agriculture from last year’s forum should be a wake-up call for all.
“The governors called for 10% of the national budget to be allocated for agriculture [in line with Maputo declaration], but this year’s budget is less than 10% for agriculture. Why?” he wondered.
(ST)