The National Legislature in South Sudan has passed its 2013-2014 budget together with the appropriation bill to control revenue and expenditures from a consolidated fund.
Economy and Finance Committee deputy chairperson James Reat Goony confirms the budget has been increased from 17.3 billion to 18.6 billion South Sudanese Pounds.
Cash strapped South Sudan found itself nearly bankrupt just two years into independence after a row with its former northern rulers in Khartoum over oil transit fees.
South Sudan took with it nearly all of the oil upon secession; however, the pipeline and all oil infrastructures are located in the northern side of the border.
Oil revenue is only now beginning to flow back into government coffers after a lengthy shutdown that severely affected both countries’ economies.
The national legislature allocated three million pounds to the Anti-Corruption Commission and five million to the National Audit Chamber.
However the legislature did not fund a national census, which is needed in order to have elections in 2015.
President Salva Kiir has publicly commented that no election can be held without a census, leading many to believe that the announcement of the 2015 elections will be delayed.