By Yiep Joseph
Governor of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), Johnny Ohisa Damian, met with commercial bank managers to deliberate on best practices and how to address the economic crisis in the country.
According to the statement seen by this outlet, the bank governor with his top officials on Thursday conveyed a productive meeting with commercial banks aimed at teamwork in handling financial challenges in the country.
“The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the BoSS and commercial banks, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing key financial challenges in South Sudan, and building trust between banks and their customers.” The statement partly read.
“Governor Damian highlighted key initiatives, including addressing the long-standing issue of delayed civil servant salary payments,” the statement read.
Based on the statement, the commercial bank representatives vowed to work hand in hand with the Bank of South Sudan for the betterment of South Sudanese.
However, in a separate note on Wednesday, President Salva Kiir directed the Minister of Finance and the entire economic team to ensure that salary arrears owed to public employees are duly settled as soon as possible.
According to the statement from the office of the President, Kiir issued the directive during the swearing-in ceremony of new government officials, including the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Johnny Ohisa Damian; the Chief of Defence Forces, Paul Nang Majok; and the Inspector General of Police, Abraham Manyuat Peter.
President Kiir called for an urgent intervention to solve the economic crisis in the country.
“It is critical that we correct the current anomalies in the economic sector in order to alleviate the suffering of our people,” he said.
He also instructed the newly appointed officials to work diligently to ensure stability and economic growth in the country.
The president further emphasized the role of the banking sector in the financial and economic stability of the country.
In the recently concluded 8th governor’s forum, Salary payment was the top resolution.
Out of 95 resolutions, payment of salaries was identified as a priority for stabilizing the public sector and fostering trust in governance.
“Ministry of Finance and Planning to pay salary arrears and monthly salaries of public servants,” Leben Nelson, head of the secretariat, read out the resolution number one.