The Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA) on Wednesday adjourned the third reading of the 2023/2024 fiscal budget due to unclear reasons.
Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba adjourned the reading of the third budget on Wednesday without giving any explanation.
This is now the second time parliament adjourned the passing of the budget whose third reading is pending.
On Monday, the budget debate was suspended following the sacking of the Former Finance Minister Dier Tong Ngor.
After the appointment of Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol as the new finance minister by President Salva Kiir, parliamentarians said they would debate the budget on Wednesday.
It has already been two months into the new financial year and the country lacks a budget.
Speaker Kumba said the date for the next sitting will be communicated to the members.
“We are here for the third reading of the national budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024, however, due to some other consultations required regarding the budget stage, we will not be able to proceed with sitting today,” she said. “A date for sitting will be communicated to you accordingly.”
For his part, John Agany Deng, the chairperson of parliament’s information committee said the third reading of the budget was adjourned to allow for consultations.
“You know a budget is a technical bill that has to be done with a lot of carefulness and also with a lot of consultations from the executive which is concerned with the implementation of the budget,” he said.
According to Agany, Speaker Kumba delayed and arrived the venue at a few minutes past noon and apologized to lawmakers, and announced the adjournment.
“The speaker was delayed because she went to a certain meeting which was not specified but at the end, she was able to come and adjourn the meeting,” Agany added. “As to what happened for the sitting to be adjourned is something we need to find out.”