The Minority Leader in South Sudan’s parliament Onyoti Adigo Nyikuac has criticized the cabinet for planning to spend an amount of 129 million pounds to hold a celebration of the country's independence on the 9 July anniversary this year.

Last week, Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny announced that a budget amounting to 129 million South Sudanese pound has been approved to cover the independence celebration in July, though he clarified that most of this money was for refurbishment of the John Garang Mausoleum.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, the minority leader and SPLM-DC deputy chairman said such amounts should haven’t been released for a one-day celebration, while citizens are starving across the country.

Adigo said the council of ministers did not give clear justifications for approving the money for the July celebration while the people of South Sudan are dying of hunger.

“We are now facing a lot of problems, there are people dying of hunger in Warrap, Upper Nile states and other areas. So when the government spends 129 million on celebrations, I think it isn’t good,” he said.

He further slammed the move to allocate 91 million pounds for renovation of Dr. John Garang Mausoleum, where the government holds celebrations every year. This amount was included as part of the above mentioned sum.

“The government has allocated 91 million pounds for the renovation of Dr. John Garang Mausoleum. What I know so far is that such amounts could build a new stadium, instead of wasting money on painting and other things,” he explained.

Over 100 million pounds should have been used instead for food purchased for the conflict-affected people, and then the remaining money could go for the independence celebration, according to the opposition leader.