Akec John Wek, a member of the local union of teachers in Gogrial state decried on Monday the delay in paying the salaries for civil servants, saying it raises tough questions about the state of fiscal management. Akec wondered why there is a delay while the state Revenue Authority has not fallen short of its tax collection targets in the first and second quarters of 2016. The local teacher said the union was worried that exams for primary and secondary schools may be affected due to delays in disbursement of funds to teachers. “The salary crisis raises tough questions about the state of fiscal management in the state. We know for fact that high expenditure on servicing the country’s huge debt obligations for defence and security matters is the main issue. This is so especially after the dollar exchange rate shot up by more than 100%, meaning South Sudanese pound is now paying more pound in dollar terms than the initial amount borrowed. He continued: “From the reports we have had from the ministry of finance, state Revenue Authority has not fallen short of its tax collection targets in the first and second quarters of 2016. So, where is the money for salaries? From our officials on the ground, all the counties have been affected by the problem, which has also spread to several key institutions, especially schools in the rural areas. “Examinations for primary and secondary schools are around the corner. With the Education ministry having been starved of cash due to delays in disbursement of funds from the national ministry of education, we are worried that the exams may be adversely affected”. He added “We urge government to make the payments without further delay. It is this sort of cancer which results in leakage of exam papers and other malpractices". Meanwhile education minister in Gogrial state William Chan Acuil attributed the delay to the economic crisis in the country and some policies by the national ministry of finance and central bank. File photo