By Lodu William Odiya
A lawmaker at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly has raised concern over unpaid salaries for civil servants and the organized forces for several in 2025, as well as persistent liquidity crises in the commercial banks.
Boutrus Alison Magaya, Member of Parliament for Maridi County, Western Equatoria State, emphasized that that many South Sudanese went through the Christmas period without pay despite promises by the government.
“You have just congratulated the MPs for a happy new year and happy Christmas, but I have bad a news for you Rt. Hon. Speaker. The people of South Sudan, especially civil servants and organized forces, went through Christmas without their salaries. There were promised salaries that were not paid” he said.
“We have a liquidity problem in the commercial banks. People are not getting even their money, those who manage” Allison added.
He underscored that lawmakers had, four months earlier, asked the leadership to summon key economic officials to explain the situation, but no action was taken.
In December, during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir, ministers announced plans to set up a mechanism for paying overdue salaries and arrears to civil servants and organized forces.
The move elevated hopes for civil servants and the organized forces who were not paid for several months in 2025.
He questioned why salaries remain unpaid despite revenue inflows, registering his concern under parliamentary Procedure 97 on non-performance.
On his part, Parmena Awerial Aluong, Deputy Speaker for Administration and Finance, urged Alison to formally document his concerns to enable parliamentary action.
“What was raise by Hon. Boutrus. I think we know all pour things. Put it in writing what you have raised as a summon, so the House can ask the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank, and the National Revenue Authority why salaries are not paid and where the money is,” Awerial stated.
He emphasized the role of parliamentary procedure in ensuring accountability, urging the questions to be directed to the August house.
“It is your right to ask them here, but it must be done formally through the House. Last time we summoned the minister here in the house. That question you should not direct it to me because you presented the request of the members of parliament here” he added.
“I myself I was the one who prepared it. How much billions that you need, how much dollars from the medication and he answered that he was going to make something very soon” he added.
The debate highlighted growing frustration in the legislature over the government’s handling of public finances and the urgent need for transparency.
Lawmakers stressed that addressing salary arrears was critical not only for the welfare of civil servants and organized forces but also for restoring public confidence in the country’s economic management.