By William Madouk
Fourth high-level forum meant to explore fiscal devolution and revenue management in South Sudan kicked off on Tuesday, graced by Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga.
A three-day summit that opened yesterday, comes amid clamour by the Council of States as oil-producing states and communities cry foul of the lack of the implementation of a 5 per cent oil share.
The initiative under the permanent constitution-making process is to discuss aspects of federalism such as fiscal federalism and wealth sharing that cascade down to revenue management as part of wealth.
VP Igga informed the gathering that the conference must define the economic, social, cultural, and environmental impact and planned resource development at the local levels.
“In the sphere of fiscal devolution, which is the real talk are there challenges? There are challenges. We need to unearth these challenges so that we begin a new age,” he said.
“If we do not bring them to the surface, we will take things for granted, and the same mistakes continue to repeat themselves time and again” Igga added.
He cited an absence of the establishment of a good statistical base for the horizontal revenue share across the state.
Igga also noted agitations on the control of exploitation of national resources by the state governments.
Minister of Federal Affairs, Lasuba L. Wongo said transparent use and management of public revenue is key to ensuring accountability.
He added that fiscal federalism is a very critical aspect of the federalization of the economy of South Sudan.
“The transitional constitution provides for decentralization of the government with more inclusion of powers and resources to the lower-level governments, that is the states and the local government,” Wongo noted.
Mr. Wongo said the constitution-making process is expected to produce a federal system of government as a popular demand and revenue sharing will therefore be an integral part of the discussions.
Also, the governor of Eastern Equatoria state, Louis Lobong, who spoke on behalf of the governors and chief administrators alluded that they have been calling for power devolution and resource sharing to states.
“This is not the first time we talked about devolution of powers and resources to states,” said Lobong.
“We have talked several times, we raised issues in the Governors’ Forum and the implementation is not realized,” he added.
Mr. Lobong claimed that the 2018 peace deal contradicted things by centralizing the powers.
In addition, the Chair of the National Constitutional Review Commission, Dr. Riang Yer Zuor quoted Art. 169 of the transitional constitution with its sub-articles as the main guiding principle for development and equitable sharing of national wealth.
He also cited Articles 180 and 181 which provide that there should be fiscal and financial institutions that are to help in managing funds and allocating national revenue to the states and local governments.
The event was organized by the Council of States in partnership with UNMISS and UNDP.
It draws together stakeholders like the National Ministries of Petroleum, Federal Affairs and Finance, policymakers, members of civil society and lawmakers, academia and the National Constitutional Review Commission.
Others include the Communities from the Oil Producing areas, and the national and state officials.
The first day will focus on national experiences of fiscal devolution and related policy recommendations and resolutions.
The second and third days will delve into fiscal federalism and wealth sharing in view of the permanent constitution-making process.
Relevant national and regional experts will share perspectives and experiences on fiscal federalism, revenue and wealth sharing cognizant of the local context particular to South Sudan.