MPs demand increase in budget allocation for health, education

South Sudan MPs on Monday demanded increase in budget allocation for education and health pointing out that the two sectors were facing acute shortage of money.

South Sudan MPs on Monday demanded increase in budget allocation for education and health pointing out that the two sectors were facing acute shortage of money.

This comes during yesterday’s sitting of parliament in which legislators deliberated on the 2017/2018 budget in its second reading.

The legislators said the health and education sectors were not getting enough support from the finance ministry. 

Benjamin Malek Alier, an MP representing Jonglei state, said the budget allocation for South Sudan Medical Council was meagre. He asked the relevant authorities to allocate enough money to the institution.

Mary Nyawach, an MP representing Maridi, said the education sector is facing shortage of funds, pointing out that many teachers decided to quit the field of teaching because of lack of pay.

The lawmaker demanded increase in budget allocation for electricity in the country.

In July, the finance ministry proposed a budget of over 46 billion SSP for the fiscal year 2017/2018. The available resources for the budget include new borrowings.