By William Madouk
National Legislative Assembly is perplexed by the flow of pension funds, yet no single civil servant has been paid off since South Sudan gained independence.
In the budget for FY 2023–24, the National Assembly allocated SSP 50 billion to support the retirement of ageing employees. However, there is little clarity on the status of the pension funds, raising concerns among lawmakers about the management and distribution of retirement benefits.
MP Natalina Amjima Malek, in her urgent motion presented before the House – quizzed the whereabouts of pension money that is earmarked in the budget every financial year.
“The South Sudan Pension Fund has been receiving employees’ pensions from the Ministry of Finance and Planning since its establishment and there has been no retirement of civil servants since, 2011,” said Mrs Amjima representing NBGs on SSOA ticket.
She cited that parliament has been passing budgets for 13 years including cuts of salaries from the civil servants to pay off ageing civil servants yet no pensioners.
Amjima hinted that retirement was necessary to inject new blood into the government system, offer promotion and employment opportunities for the young people.
“I, therefore, move the motion to summon the Minister of Public Service and Human Resources Development to appear before the August House to explain the following,” she requested.
According to her, the minister should explain why section 84 (1) of Civil Service Act, 2011 which provides for ‘mandatory retirement at age 65’ is not been adhered to.
Also, the Minister of Public Service is expected to inform the House whether the Ministry of Finance has disbursed funds to the South Sudan Penson Fund.
Amjima wants the minister to be compelled to implement the Civil Service Act in letter and spirit.
Also, MP Gatkouth Wade, recalled that the House had passed SSP 15 billion and the Ministry of Public Service was supposed to prepare the data for civil servants who hit retirement age to clear off their pension.
Following the thorough deliberation, MPs suggested that the minister of finance and Director General of South Sudan Pensions Fund be summoned alongside the minister of Public Service.
Another MP, Nyayom Johnson stressed that, “If we don’t have people to retire in the government our young people will never have an opportunity to work.”
“Because even the graduates are now saying there is no need to study because they are not working, the offices are being occupied by those who have been there since,” she added.
In response, Speaker Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba committed the motion to three committees – on public services and Human Resources Development, committee on Labor and committee on legislation and justice.
“We have agreed that the motion will be committed to the committee on public service for discussion and report back to us after two weeks and during the discussion, the two ministers will be around to tell us,” Nunu said.
“For sure, it is important that there must be a pension scheme in this country so that some of us should retire and clear space for the young graduates who are graduating and there is no job,” she added.