By Bosco Bush
President Salva Kiir has directed the Ministry of Finance to disburse payment for one month of civil servant salaries, out of nearly a year’s worth of arrears owed by the government.
This directive followed a presentation by Minister of Finance, Dr. Marial Dongrin, on the pressing economic challenges facing the country during Council of Ministers meeting on Friday.
After the meeting, Minister of Information and Government Spokesperson, Michael Makuei, stated that the President responded promptly to the Minister of Finance’s memo, authorizing the payment of one month’s salary as part of efforts to improve the economic situation.
“In the update, His Excellency informed us that salaries for one month will be paid starting this coming Monday. This will be the initial payment, and thereafter, efforts will be made to improve the situation,” said Makuei.
Makuei also noted that the President outlined measures aimed at reducing unnecessary government expenditures, including costs associated with officials going on unapproved missions, medical referrals abroad, and other unwarranted expenses.
Meanwhile, Dr. Marial Dongrin, the Minister of Finance, confirmed that the disbursement of salaries to some public institutions is already underway.
He made this statement during the installation of the new Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance last weekend.
“We have already started working on salary payments, and I believe this week some institutions will receive their salaries. This process will continue, and hopefully, we will conclude payments for everyone by next week,” stated Dr. Marial Dongrin.
“We are committed as a team to tackle the challenges we are currently facing and will emerge stronger in the end,” he added.
Civil servants have now gone for a year without pay.