JUBA – A member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) raised a motion on Wednesday, requesting the house to summon the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Marial Dongrin Ater, to explain the delay in presenting the budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Speaking during an ordinary session in Juba on Wednesday, Sunday Philip Kot, chief whip of Other Opposition Parties (OPP) at the National Legislative Assembly, expressed concerns over the delay by the national finance ministry in tabling the budget.
“My point of information is about the delay in the tabling of the budget for 2025-2026. According to the Conduct Business Regulation 119, the financial year of the Republic of South Sudan shall be 12 months, beginning from the 1st day of July to the 30th day of June the following year,” Philip said.
Philip, who represents Yirol East County in Lakes State, emphasized the necessity of summoning the finance minister to clarify the reasons behind the delay in presenting the budget.
“For that matter, Honorable Madam Speaker, with your permission, I’m asking this August House to summon the Minister of Finance to come and get clarification on the delay of the status of the budget of 2025-2026.”
He said the delay in tabling of the budget undermines public trust, financial stability, and effective government.
“The financial year 2024/2025 ended by June 30, and the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget should have started on 1st July 2025, but up to now there is no communication regarding the Ministry of Finance about the national budget,” he said.
He called on the Minister of Finance to clarify the reasons for the delay in the fiscal year budget.
“After the opening of the Parliament, we were expecting that the first priority for us in this House would be the tabling of the budget of 2025-2026. But now we are in August, and there is no clarification from the Minister of Finance regarding the status of the budget.”
The 2011 Act mandates the Minister of Finance and Planning to submit the national budget to the National Assembly and Council of States for scrutiny by May 15th of each year.
Once submitted, the budget becomes the FY 2024/25 Budget Plan, Appropriation, and Financial Bill.
In September 2024, Finance Minister Dr. Dongrin Ater tabled a budget estimate of SSP 4.1 trillion for spending in the fiscal year 2024-2025 before parliament.
The proposal is aimed at consolidating peace, settling arrears, and funding security sector reforms, as well as servicing outstanding debts and stabilizing the economy on top of promoting economic diversification.
