New Committee Targets Salary Delays and Tax Exemptions

(JUBA) – A new high level committee has begun work on plans to restore economic stability, improve government revenue collection and ensure civil servants are paid on time.

The Ministerial High Level Committee on Economic Reforms held its first meeting on Wednesday at the Ministry of Finance and Planning. The nine member body was set up by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and approved by the Council of Ministers.

The committee is chaired by the Minister of East African Community Affairs, Hon Gen Pieng Deng Kuol. The Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Hon Ateny Wek Ateny, serves as the rapporteur.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Hon Ateny Wek Ateny said the committee had started reviewing several reform measures.

One of the key proposals under study is the review and cancellation of non statutory tax and financial exemptions granted to individuals, companies and other entities without a clear legal basis.

The committee also praised the Ministry of Finance and Planning for releasing one month’s salary for civil servants, organised forces, state transfers and South Sudan’s diplomatic missions abroad. Hon Ateny Wek Ateny said the decision to pay salaries in cash is meant to ease the liquidity crisis affecting the banking sector.

He said the committee is committed to finding every possible way to increase government revenues, strengthen financial discipline and guarantee regular salary payments while making sure enough funding is available for national development programmes.

The committee’s immediate goals include improving public finance management, increasing revenue collection, improving cash circulation and ensuring consistent and timely salary payments for civil servants and organised forces.

The committee is expected to meet every week and submit regular progress reports to the Council of Ministers as it works on reforms aimed at revitalising South Sudan’s economy.

In a related development, the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges and the Ministry of Trade and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding on a multinational road corridor project linking South Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The agreement, signed in Juba, is a requirement under protocols between South Sudan and the African Development Bank.

The project covers the review and update of feasibility studies, engineering design, and environmental and social impact assessments for three key routes.

The first is the Kapoeta to Boma to Raad road. The second is the Pagak to Maiwut to Mathinag to Paloich road. The third is the Juba to Torit to Kapoeta to Nadapal road.