A member of the National Legislative Assembly has expressed frustration over the government’s continued failure to pay civil servants and organised forces, saying many citizens went through Christmas and New Year holidays without salaries.

Hon. Butrus Munani Magaya, an SPLM lawmaker representing Maridi County in Western Equatoria State, raised the concern during the first parliamentary sitting of 2026 following the Christmas and New Year recess.

Addressing the House, Magaya said the country’s economic situation remains dire, citing acute liquidity challenges in commercial banks that have left citizens unable to access even limited funds in their accounts.

He told lawmakers that civil servants and members of the organised forces had been promised salaries that were never paid, despite the continued collection of oil and non-oil revenues.

Magaya reminded parliamentary leadership that, four months ago, lawmakers requested the summoning of key economic officials — including the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank, and the National Revenue Authority — to explain the persistent failure to pay salaries.

“It remains unclear why salaries are not paid when oil revenues are still flowing and domestic revenues continue to be collected,” he said, registering what he described as disappointment with the administration over non-performance under parliamentary procedure.

Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Parmina Awerial acknowledged the concerns but said parliament had already summoned the Minister of Finance on the matter.

Awerial noted that the minister had previously informed the House of the funds required to cover salaries and essential medical needs, and had pledged to take action.

She, however, urged Magaya to formally submit his concerns in writing to enable parliament to summon the Minister of Finance, the Central Bank Governor, and officials of the National Revenue Authority to account for the unpaid salaries.

Awerial stressed that responsibility for salary payments lies with the executive and not the leadership of parliament.