The government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has increased the salaries of its public servants by 100 percent in accordance with a directive President Salva Kiir made in his speech during this year’s Independence Day celebrations on 9 July.
“In the 2021-2022 budget, the government has resolved to increase salaries by 100 percent as phase one with immediate effect and fully review later on during the fiscal year when the economy improves,” President Kiir said during the country’s tenth independence anniversary.
The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State finance ministry director-general, John Karlo Dut, confirmed the salary increment to Radio Tamazuj Monday and said the salary arrears of the month of July 2021 were paid last Friday with the new adjustments.
“We are paying the salaries for the month of July 2021 with the new increments according to the directives from the President Salva Kiir Mayardit and in accordance with the resolution of the national council of ministers which serves to increase the wages by 100 percent,” Dut said.
He added: “The unpaid salaries for the months of August, September, October, November, and December will be paid with the same changes.”
Kon Wek, a civil servant in Aweil Center County, welcomed the salary increment and said it will be helpful.
“In the past, I was receiving 3,700 SSP and if it is multiplied by two, that is okay for me,” Wek said.
Another state government employee in Ariath Payam, Aweil North County, who preferred anonymity confirmed that he had received the doubled salary.
“Yes, we received the salaries in double. My money, 8,500 SSP, was sent to me via money transfer from Aweil town to Ariath Payam,” He said. “I am in grade 4 which was paid over 5,000 SSP.”