The National Legislature comprising of the Legislative Assembly and Council of States’ members on Tuesday endorses the long awaited National Budget tuning to 10.6 billion South Sudanese Pounds for the fiscal year 2015/2016.
The legislature chaired by Speaker Manasseh Magok Rundial passes the budget unanimously by hand clapping after series of deliberations.
The budget deliberations unveil concerns of misappropriation of previous budget through over spending, mismanagement of Letter of Credits, failure to finance Constituency Development Fund and failure to pay arrears and pensions of ex-service officials.
The fiscal year 2015/2016 budget amidst opposition from Minority Leader Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec and Warrap State parliamentarian Salva Mathok Gengdit gives legislators 35 million South Sudanese Pounds for peace sensitization in their constituencies.
The opposing legislators argue that such amount could be cut to cater ailing citizens suffering in health facilities or from hunger due to food insecurity.
The National Legislature regrets the late passage of the National Budget in September, describing it as unfortunate as it contravenes the Transitional Constitution.