S. Sudan allocates 129 million pounds for independence celebrations

April 20, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s council of ministers on Friday approved 129 million South Sudanese pounds (SSP) for the country’s fourth independence anniversary celebrations in July.

At its regular meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir, the council also resolved to fund celebrations in Greater Pibor Administrative Area and in Abyei region.

“This year, we have decided to make good celebrations,” information minister Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters in the capital, Juba, on Friday.

“The money will cover celebrations in all the ten states and Pibor Administrative area and Abyei area and all our embassies,” he added.

According to the minister, six million SSP was earmarked for reconstruction work at the independence celebration ground in Juba and an equal amount will cater for fuel expenses and other services during the days in the run-up to the 9 July 2015 occasion.

“We have to transport VIPs [Very Important Persons) to the venue and other services,” said Lueth.

Critics have questioned the rationale of allocating huge money for independence at a time when thousands of people are facing starvation in the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region.

(ST)