Finance Minister Marial Dongrin presents budget ceiling to Speaker Nunu Kumba|Courtesy

Vice President Dr James Wani Igga called for the timely presentation of the national budget in line with the East African budget calendar, warning that the delay sets a bad precedent and undermines the country’s image.

Dr. Igga, the Chairperson of the Economy Cluster, made remarks at the Fourth High-Level Forum on Fiscal Devolution and Revenue Management.

The forum is a key component of the Permanent Constitution-Making Process.

The national parliament passed the FY 2024/2025 budget on Monday, November 11, 2024, six months later than other East African Community partner states, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia

While acknowledging the lawmakers’ effort in passing the budget on Monday, November 11, Dr Wani emphasizes that the delay sets a bad precedent and undermines the country’s image.

“Congratulations to the parliament for passing the budget yesterday [Monday, November 11, 2024], but, next time let’s not be behind the schedule,” VP Wani stated.

“The East African Community is now very disgusted with us, their budget came out in June because they must begin operating in the new financial year in July,” he said.

“We are always six months late, this is not good for us, so let’s change by starting it early, and with the needed speed, not all the time late,” he added.

“They [EAC] will say what is wrong with these people [South Sudanese], year in, year out, their budget comes late always,” he said.

Key government officials present at the opening of the forum included Mary Ayen, the first deputy Speaker of the Council of States, the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Marial Dongrin, the Minister of Federal Affairs, Lasuba Wongo, the Governor of Upper Nile, and Eastern Equatoria—James Odhok, Louis Lobong, and the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria, Paulino Lukudu.

Also, in attendance were the chairperson of the National Constitution Review Commission, Dr Riang Yer Zuor, a representative from Western Bahr el Ghazal State and officials from the Ruweng Administrative Area.

The forum on Fiscal Devolution and Revenue Management was organized by the Council of States in collaboration with the Ministries of Finance and Planning, and Petroleum, with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).