Lawmaker laments worsening economy, demands finance minister’s grilling

JUBA – A lawmaker in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly has lamented the ever-increasing exchange rate and the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

Legislator Natalina Amjima raised concerns over the failing economic conditions, coupled with the fluctuating exchange rate that has weakened the value of the South Sudanese pound against the U.S. dollar.

“The rate of the dollar in the market has gone as high as 410,000 yesterday, but today I don’t know,” Amjima said during a parliamentary hearing yesterday.

She suggested that economists should meet with the finance minister to advise on the way forward.

“My information is going to economists in South Sudan because whenever things are bad like this, the economists are supposed to sit with the minister of finance and discuss the way forward,” she said.

Amjima, who is concerned about looming hunger as commodity prices continue to rise daily, said Finance Minister Dr. Marial Dongrin must appear before the House to explain his remedies.

“I urge the August House to summon the minister of finance so that we have to discuss this looming hunger,” she noted.

In a quick rejoinder, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba affirmed that the finance minister would soon appear before the August House.

“The minister of finance will come soon,” said Speaker Nunu.

So far, civil servants have gone almost 10 months without receiving their salaries.

Days ago, President Salva Kiir, who is in a frantic search for remedies for the sickly economic situation, made some changes at customs and the South Sudan National Revenue Authority.

During the oath-taking ceremony of the finance minister, Kiir said he would not rest until he finds the right man for the job to handle the economic challenges head-on.

Although Kiir admitted that there are several accounts where government money flows, he did not disclose the challenges facing the government and the difficulty in holding people accountable for their actions.

“What is happening now is that people have multiple bank accounts, and the money being collected does not come to the government’s coffers,” Kiir said.

He attributed the recurrent challenge of salary delays to meagre revenue collection and poor management of funds, stressing that the country has enough resources to cater to its needs.

“We actually have money. The money from non-oil revenues is enough to pay people and to do everything. So let us believe that you will deliver. I understand that you have been in the National Revenue Authority, and you know how money is being collected from the people,” he added.