Government urged to channel revenues to salary account

By Awan Achiek

The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has been asked to channel revenues to salary accounts to enhance transparency in management of resources.

While presenting a two-page document before parliament on salaries, Changgkuoth Bichiock Reth, Chairperson of Committee for Finance and Economic Planning said on Wednesday that this move will enable the Revenue Authority to consolidate and optimize utilization of government cash resources.

“We are suggesting and requesting this august house to direct the Ministry of Finance and Planning and South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) or Commissioner General to put the SSRA collections into the government salary account,” said Bichiock.

Bichiock said SSRA collects SSP 40 billion monthly from non-oil revenue which can pay half of salaries if channeled to a single account.

“Currently, South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) is collecting about SSP 40 billion a month from non-oil revenues which can amount to half of the wages and salaries if the amount is directed to the salary account,” Bichiock said.

He said that currently, the Nile Blend Crude Oil in Unity State contributes to national coffers about 44 to 47 billion U.S. dollars on a monthly basis.

“This implies that both SSRA collection and the Nile Blend Crude Oil are sufficient to pay the entire wages bill monthly and cater for keeping the government operation,” he said.

He believed the collection of both oil and non-oil revenues if used efficiently can clear the entire government salaries and foreign missions that accumulated for 10-months.

July 14, 2024, President Salva Kiir Mayardit admitted during swearing of Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Marial Dongrin Ater that revenues are not being remitted into single account of Revenue Authority.

Kiir revealed that the revenues are being diverted into individuals’ pockets.

Currently, 11 companies have been tasked by the South Sudan Revenue Authority to collect revenues on its behalf, with each taking 30 percent, according to the lawmaker.