By No. 1 Citizen
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Nathaniel Oyet has urged the government to reassess its priorities and prioritize the well-being of its citizens.
This call comes in light of the country’s severe economic challenges marked by high inflation and delayed salaries for public servants.
Civil servants and members of the organized forces have not been paid for almost 10 months.
In a joint media interview, First Deputy Speaker Oyet stressed the need for the government to reduce unnecessary foreign trips and redirect funds to pay civil servants.
Oyet also emphasized the executive branch needs to review government expenditures, specifically those designated for road construction.
He said while oil for the road projects continues to flow, citizens are facing hunger and struggling to access basic healthcare, urging the executive branch to review government expenditures, particularly those allocated for road construction.
“People are starving, people are unable to treat themselves, they are unable to get salaries, they are unable to buy food, to send children to school,” he said.
Oyet urged the government to implement austerity measures to downsize its expenditures.
He insisted that foreign missions and non-essential trips should be limited, directing funds instead towards vital services.
“Priorities should be given to the payment of salaries for the civil servants, he said adding that teachers, nurses, and engineers provide essential services that support nation’s education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“The payment of salaries to the organized forces and the military provides security services and defense for this country and provides law and order for this country that should be the priority of the government.”
Oyet stated that while road development is important, it should not take precedence over the urgent needs of our starving citizens.
The Deputy Speaker also raised concerns about the transparency of road funding, questioning whether the allocated budget is being utilized effectively.
“We also need to reveal whether the money for roads is actually going for the roads or not roads, this money can be pursued back by the government and brought back to the coffers of the government so that it can meet government priorities and expenses,” he said.
Oyet urged the government to expedite negotiations with Sudan regarding oil exploitation in Paloch to further support economic stability.