By Yiep Joseph
President Salva Kiir has instructed governors and chief administrators to enhance their efforts in generating local revenue to support the economy, as oil production faces challenges due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
In his closing remarks at the 8th Governors’ Forum, Kiir urged state leaders to become more self-reliant, especially as oil revenue, a primary source of income, remains uncertain due to regional instability.
“The states and administrative areas have to find means to raise local revenue, create jobs for youth, and meet some minimum need of the state or administrative areas,” Kiir said.
Kiir reiterated that the national government should concentrate on strengthening state and administrative areas by implementing projects that local governments cannot finance on their own.
He noted that as country continue to face challenges from the disruption of oil production, which had previously generated significant revenue, there is a need for leaders to effectively and efficiently focus on local revenue generation.
The president acknowledged that the interruption of key oil fields has had a negative impact on the country’s economy.
“Our economy is distressed; the oil field of Palouch, which is the highest revenue earner for the national government, is facing a double crisis,” he said.
Kiir appealed to the Sudanese warring parties to allow the smooth flow of the materials to ensure the effective resumption of the oil flow.
“I am fully engaging brothers in Sudan to allow access to engineers and the flow of the material to oil fields,” he said.
He stated that the relevant institution should maintain their efforts to ensure that oil production resumes in order to support the economy.
The President noted that interruptions in oil production lead to delays in salary payments and service delivery, urging governors and chief administrators to implement the resolutions made during the eighth governor’s forum.
“I urge all of us to work collectively at the national, state, and administration levels to implement the resolution of the 8th governor’s forum. We have to realize tangible results as we meet for the next forum,” he said.
In his part, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar acknowledged the hot discussion on salary delay, citing that there is a need to pay the government workforce.
He added that the call for the establishment of the implementation mechanism for the forum’s resolution and recommendations remains vital.
Early this year, President Kiir tasked the Minister of Finance, Dr. Marial Dongrin Ater, with the responsibility of boosting non-oil revenues.
During the swearing-in ceremony, President Kiir expressed his concern that employees have gone without salaries for months.
He pointed out that the non-oil revenues collected in the country are adequate to cover government expenses, including employee salaries.
The President directed Minister Ater to establish a single account for all revenues and to take measures against corrupt practices within the non-oil revenue sector.