Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga 9(red tie), Investment Minister Dr. Dhieu Mathok (far right), Wildlife Minister Rezik Zechariah (second left), Livestock Minister Onyoti Adigo (left) pose for a picture with officials of Africa Tourism Board. (-)

The Vice President for Economic cluster said the government is planning to increase the budget of the Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism to improve the sector in the country.

Dr. James Wani Igga said the tourism sector is critical in generating revenue to South Sudan.

According to Dr. Igga, this will be achieved in coordination with the Ministry of Investment and that of Livestock and Fisheries.

Dr. Igga stressed that tourism development in South Sudan should be led by the private sector, with the public sector providing the necessary enabling environment.

This will be done through appropriate policy measures and support infrastructure improvement, substantial institution reforms.

“Our government, maybe we begin with our cluster, the Economic Cluster will increase the budget of our skilled Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism so that it can do more,” he said.

“I want to begin by engaging my colleagues here especially the two ministers, Hon. Onyoti and Hon. Dr. Dhieu, that we can actually initiate this right from the economic cluster.”

“Because without funds, there is nothing they can do. Our government will need to establish a tourism department credit facility to facilitate the private sector.”

Dr. Igga was speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between South Sudan’s ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism and the African Tourism Board in Juba on Thursday.