South Sudan's 400 MPs have received $25,000 each for medical allowances and insurance, causing public anger.

Critics have condemned the government for spending the money on MPs rather than on development projects.

Andrew Okonj, a lawmaker representing Malakal South in the national legislative assembly, told Radio Tamazuj today that legislators have each pocketed $ 25,000 as a payout for medical allowances.

“All the national MPs have received the money. The money we received last week is part of the medical allowances that accumulated for years, not post-service benefits,” he said.

Dhoruai Mabor Teny, a lawmaker representing Rumbek East County, confirmed that the legislators had received the money. “I can confirm that the MPs have received 24,630 each. The money was released by the ministry of finance,” he explained.

He added,” I think this is not a lot of money. We have enough money in South Sudan but the big problem we are facing in the country is corruption. It is the right of national MPs to get their allowances.”

According to Dhoruai, the lawmakers were paid in accordance with Emoluments Act, 2008.

South Sudan’s MPs are among the poorest-paid in the East African region.

In July 2018, the national legislature received a bonus worth as much as $16 million in the capital Juba.