South Sudan’s government announced that it plans to spend about 27 million pounds to hold a celebration of the country’s independence on the 9 July anniversary this year.
Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny announced on Monday that a budget amounting to 27,142,496 South Sudanese pound has been set aside to cover the independence celebration. This is equivalent to about US $9 million at the bank exchange rate.
Ateny explained that this year’s budget has seen an increase compared to last year because it involves renovation of some roads and facilities around the mausoleum of the founding leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement late John Garang de Mabior.
The 2014 budget was 23,642,496 South Sudanese pounds in addition to 6.8 million pounds for lighting costs, according to the official.
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