Western Equatoria Assembly approves SSP 49B budget, ending five-year fiscal void

YAMBIO – The Transitional Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly has passed a SSP 49 billion budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, marking a major milestone in the state’s governance after nearly five years of operating without an approved budget.

The budget was unanimously adopted on Tuesday during a plenary sitting of the State Legislative Assembly in Yambio, a move lawmakers and stakeholders say could help restore orderly planning, accountability, and effective service delivery across the state.

Announcing the decision, the Chairperson of the Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Information and Communication, Mudir Martin Ngarawu, said the approved budget will be forwarded to the Governor of Western Equatoria State, Barrister James Al-Taib Jazz Berapai, for assent. Once signed, the budget will formally come into effect and guide government spending for the new fiscal year.

“The Assembly has approved the 2025/2026 budget, which will now be submitted to the Governor for assent so that it can take effect and guide service delivery in the state,” Ngarawu said.

He urged citizens, civil society organizations, and oversight institutions to play an active role in monitoring the implementation of the budget to ensure public funds are utilized transparently and for their intended purposes. Ngarawu emphasized that the Assembly will continue to exercise its oversight mandate to hold the executive accountable throughout the fiscal year.

The State Minister for Finance, Planning and Investment, Bazia Tito Morris, described the passage of the budget as a long-awaited breakthrough, noting that the absence of an approved budget over the past years had severely constrained the delivery of basic public services.

“For several years, the state operated without a budget, which made it extremely difficult to plan and provide essential services to our people,” Morris said. “This approval gives us the legal and administrative framework to plan, implement programs, and properly account for public resources.”

He called on government institutions to adhere to disciplined spending, prioritize critical sectors, and ensure the timely implementation of planned activities. Morris also encouraged the Legislative Assembly to maintain strong oversight to prevent misuse of public funds.

Civil society groups have welcomed the development, citing reforms introduced during the budget review process. Odetta Miwai James, a civil society representative, said the Assembly’s economic and finance committee made key adjustments, including addressing inflated staffing levels and removing ghost workers from the state payroll.

“Public consultations played an important role in shaping the final budget, and some proposed taxes were revised downward to ease the burden on vulnerable communities,” she said. “However, transparency and accountability will be critical to ensure this budget truly benefits ordinary citizens.”

The Azande Kingdom has also welcomed the approval of the budget. Speaking on behalf of the Kingdom, Prince Lotto Anibiapai said the decision sends a positive signal to civil servants, traders, and local communities who have endured years of financial uncertainty.

He added that funds allocated to support the Kingdom’s activities would contribute to peacebuilding, cultural restoration, unity, and peaceful coexistence among communities in Western Equatoria State.

Observers say the passage of the 2025/2026 budget could help stabilize governance in the state by enabling clearer planning, improved accountability, and more predictable service delivery after years of fiscal uncertainty.