The Juba City Legislative Council on Wednesday approved a budget of SSP 70.5 million for the financial year 2015/2016, an increase of more than 20% from last year in spite of the struggling economy.

The budget includes funding for salaries at 21.7m SSP, operations at 21.9m, and for services delivery at 27m.

Separately, the city legislature reportedly has found that the city government last year spent more than one million SSP on expenses not authorized by the legislature.

For example, Munuki Town Block spent 210,696 SSP on allowances, tuition fees, hiring equipment and machinery, education and lab supplies, university subsidies and non-residential buildings. Juba Town Block spent 110,315 SSP without approval on allowances, medical supplies, non-residential buildings and power.

Kator Town block was the only administrative unit spending within its budget lines.