By Malish Valentine Adolfo-Torit
The Eastern Equatoria State Finance Minister Peter lokuchu Lotirimoi tabled the 2023/2024 fiscal year budget before parliament On Monday16th September 2024.
The proposed budget, amounting to Eleven trillion, Five hundred and ninety three million seven hundred and sixty three thousand, one hundred and fourth three (11,000,593,763,143) South Sudan pounds, was submitted for its first reading during parliamentary session No.16.
After the session, Kokol Michael, a member of the assembly, told the media that the budget has been forwarded to the Finance and Economic Planning Committee for scrutiny before proceeding to the second reading.
“We are currently in session number 16, and today the 2023/2024 fiscal year budget was presented for the first reading. According to our assembly regulations, the Finance and Economic Planning Committee will now review the budget for the second reading.”
Kokol stated that the budget would take 45 days to complete the review process before moving to the next stage. He added that the budget, initially delayed at the national level, is still relevant for 2024, with civil servants currently receiving their salaries from the previous fiscal year.
“The budget will take 45 days for the committee to review. It should have been completed last year, but there were delays at the national level. Despite the delay, the budget is still valid, and we are receiving salaries, even as we await the final approval.”
The budget review process is expected to continue until the committee completes its assessment.