South Sudan is planning to raise crude oil production by 30,000 barrels per day by June, the information minister said on Wednesday.

Production in South Sudan is currently about 175,000 bpd.

Information Minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, told reporters after the cabinet meeting in Juba that the government plans to increase output by 30,000 barrels per day.

“30,000 barrels per day will be deposited in the accounts. This will be an ongoing project. It is not meant for this financial year only,” Makuei said.

He further said money from the 30,000 barrels per day would be used to construct roads and fund other facilities.

According to the minister, the cabinet also directed the finance minister to clear all the outstanding salaries of civil servants in the country.

“From there, there are guarantees of continued payments for employees of government. This directive should include payments for embassies that have not been paid for long,” he said.

Civil servants in South Sudan have not been paid for nearly five months.

South Sudan, where oil revenues make up nearly 98% of the budget, has been reeling an under economic crisis due to civil war.

President Salva Kiir and opposition leaders failed to form a transitional government as stipulated in the peace deal by May 12. The formation of the unity government was extended by six months to November.