He also cited the provision of food rations and the management of the security sector as key reasons for overspending in the security sector.

Hon. Riaw reported that the Public Administration sector overspent on the electoral institution, satellite services for the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, and activities of the Ministry of Peacebuilding.

He noted that the Education and Health sectors remained within budget, mainly due to delayed wage payments.

At the public budget hearing, the lawmaker stated that the security sectors stayed within the approved budget; however, the Ministry of Defense exceeded its allocation due to the nationwide provision of food supplies for soldiers.

According to Hon. Riaw, the high costs were driven by transportation expenses and impassable roads, which significantly raised the Ministry of Defense’s expenditures.

The lawmaker reported that the Natural Resources and Rural Development sector is underspent, largely due to flooding that impacted food production, although livestock and wildlife initiatives remain in development.

Hon. Riaw noted that the Accountability sector remained within its approved budget, primarily due to delayed salary payments.

Lastly, he explained that expenditures on transfers to states and the three administrative areas showed underspending, as these regions operate autonomously in revenue collection without interference from the national government.

In his observations, the lawmaker emphasized that the Ministry of Finance is not adhering to the guiding principles of reform outlined in the Public Financial and Accountability Act of 2011, as amended.

He pointed out a lack of financial discipline in both budgetary planning and recommended that Parliament impose punitive measures against institutions that fail to comply with public financial laws.

“Our recommendations are only two; the Ministry of Finance and Planning must adhere to budgetary discipline in accordance with the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act 2011 and the Public Financial Reform to stop malpractices in the appropriation of public funds. Two; the parliament to impose punitive majors against those institutions which don’t comply with public funds, the public financial act and other financial laws by not adhering to the guiding principle.” Hon Riaw Gatlier – Member of Finance Committee, Council of State.

For his part, Hon. Goc Makuac, a member of the Finance Committee, presented during the public hearing the sources of revenue utilized by ten sectors in the FY 2023/2024 budget.

He outlined four key steps to improve the country’s economy; supporting the agricultural sector and reviving previous agricultural initiatives, diversifying the economy, and streamlining the budget.

Hon Goc also called for empowering the South Sudan Revenue Authority to be the sole institution responsible for collecting non-oil revenue.