Lakes State approves SSP55 million salary arrears for local chiefs

JUBA – South Sudan’s Lakes State Cabinet on Thursday approved over 55 million South Sudanese Pounds annual salaries budget for 1,279 tradition chiefs.

The memo was presented to the state cabinet by the Minister of Local government and law enforcement, Chol Kutwel Manhuom on Thursday.

William Koji Kirjok, Lakes State Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Caretaker Minister of Information and communication said the money will be used to pay 1,279 chiefs in the state.

“Council of ministers meeting chaired by Lakes State Governor Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor has approved an amount of fifty-five million, six hundred and thirty thousand, seven hundred and fourteen South Sudanese pounds (55,630,714, SSP) as annual salaries for 1,279 chiefs,” Koji said in his Facebook post on Thursday.

Koji said this is in line with last year’s governors’ forum.

“This is the implementation of the 5th Governor’s forum resolution that resolved to restructure the chiefs and pay them monthly salaries,” he said.

He said the cabinet agreed to charge taxpayers an additional SSP 5,000 on monthly basis to cover services.

“The council also approved each taxpayer to pay five thousand South Sudanese pounds (5,000 SSP ) annually, equivalent to 420 SSP monthly. This will help the state government to deliver services to the citizens,” he said.