Prof. John Akec, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Juba - Photo Credit: Office of the President, August 22, 2022

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba has threatened to abandon his job and venture into self-employment if the government does not pay his monthly salary on time.

Professor John Akec said in a tweet that his gross salary of SSP. 770,000 is merely enough even if timely paid.

“My monthly gross salary of SSP 770,000 is merely equivalent to $ 855. If MoFP fails to pay me and staff a new improved salary by 26th April 2023, I am going to give up my job and join ranks of unemployed youth selling currency on our streets,” he tweeted early on Sunday.

On April 5, 2023, lecturers at the country’s biggest university threatened to lay down their tools should the government fail to pay their salary arrears.

They issued an ultimatum, which expired on April 10, for the government to settle their two-month arrears.

A resolution passed by the university administration warned that the lecturers will take industrial action, should the government fail to do so.

On April 6, 2023, President Salva Kiir directed the Ministry of Finance to pay February and March salary arrears and allowances to all Public Universities based on the current salary scale, the presidential press unit reported.