Organised forces in Aweil town, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, on Tuesday went into jubilation after the announcement of salary payments for August with an increment of 100 per cent

In the video clip circulating on social media, the forces were seen dancing and singing songs of praise.

“What makes them excited is the salary, because every one of them got their July salary doubled and now they are going to receive the month of August also doubled,” Capt. Gout Gout Akot, the Police spokesperson in Northern Bahr el Ghazal told The City Review in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

In  July this year, the government had promised a fat paycheck for the civil servants who had been cash strapped due to delayed payment of salaries as well as under-remuneration.  

President Salva Kiir announced on July 9, 2021, during the commemoration of Independence Day that plans were underway to revise the job groups and raise the salary scales of the civil servants.

Kiir said  the  plan was to  use the 2021-2022 financial budget to raise the pay of the civil servants by 100 per cent  

 “Fellow citizens, I am aware that our civil servants have not been paid on time and they have endured irregular salary payments for a long time. I am also aware that salary scales have not been reviewed since we realigned our currency in 2015.  

“In the 2021 and 2022 [fiscal year], the government has resolved to increase its salaries by 100 per cent at phase one with immediate effect. It will be fully reviewed later on during the financial year as the economy improves,” he stated.

While civil servants in Jonglei State have been demanding their 100 per cent salary increment, for workers in Aweil and other states, it was a promise come true.

Akot said the other excitement was triggered when the forces matched around Aweil town in preparation for the Christmas season.

According to Akot, 800 forces were deployed in preparation for security during the Christmas festive on Tuesday.

“These forces are dispatched for the protection of the civilians in celebrations of the charismas and the new year,” he said

He said the general security situation in Aweil town was calm since they launched a crackdown on criminals on November 29, where they apprehended the two ring leaders who are suspected of terrorising residents in Aweil town on gun points.

Akot stressed that the criminals were looting people at night hours, breaking into people’s houses.

“We managed to apprehend two people in possession of 2 AK47. So these people are arrested and an investigation is being carried out,” he said  

On  December 10, police in the state detained six suspects over the disappearance of funds from the South Sudan Education Centre for Primary and Secondary School.

The unknown persons broke into the school located in Aweil and made way with SSP 858,300 that was meant for paying teachers.