The government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Wednesday paid civil servants and constitutional post holders’ salary arrears for the months of January and February, an official from the state’s finance ministry revealed.
John Karlo Dut, the Director-General in the state’s finance ministry told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that the government approved and released the payments for the two months.
“The ministry of finance and planning in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State made preparations a week ago and the salaries for January and February were approved yesterday (Tuesday) and are paid today (Wednesday),” Karlo said. “Our responsibility is to pay the wages for the public servants including constitutional post holders across all five counties in the State.”
Some of the government employees sounded out by Radio Tamazuj confirmed receiving the salary arrears but complained about the delayed payment of remunerations and said the money was little due to rising commodity prices.
Akot Lual, a civil servant in Aweil East County, said the payment arrived but he slammed the government for delaying their pay.
“I received it (salary arrears) but it is not okay because the payment is delayed and cannot settle our expenses. We are appealing to the government to keep on improving and pay on a monthly basis,” Lual said.
Another state worker, Aker Ajoung, confirmed receipt of the payment but said the money had no value due to inflation in the market.
“We have received the money but the money that government gives us does not make a difference,” she said. “I received two months’ salary of SSP 3, 800. Some women do not have husbands but rely on this payment from the government.”
Last year, President Salva Kiir directed the national finance and petroleum ministries to allocate 5,000 barrels of crude oil per day to cater for government salaries.