Acting Minister of Information and Communication says the draft budget was passed after extensive deliberations by the Council of Ministers

By Binia Elizabeth

Central Equatoria State’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft budget of 72.3 billion South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, in a move the state government said aims at addressing critical development priorities and improving service delivery across the state.

The decision was made during an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Monday at the State Secretariat in Juba, chaired by Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel.

Briefing the media shortly after the session, Hon. Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado, the Acting Minister of Information and Communication, said the draft budget was passed after extensive deliberations by the council. He added that the budget package includes the draft tax rate schedules and the Appropriation Bill for the same fiscal period, both of which were adopted with key amendments.

“The Cabinet has deliberated and passed the draft budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, estimated at SSP 72.3 billion,” Hon. Aligo said. “The approval also includes revised tax rate schedules and an amended Appropriation Bill.”

The draft budget is expected to be presented to the Central Equatoria State Legislative Assembly for scrutiny and final ratification in the coming days.

In addition to financial matters, the cabinet received a security update from the State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency. The report focused on a recent attack by a holdout armed group on a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) base in Bazi, Morobo County, on Sunday.

The minister raised alarm over the deteriorating security situation in parts of the county, citing increasing threats from non-signatory elements that continue to destabilize the region.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in all parts of the state, calling on communities and local authorities to remain vigilant and support government efforts.

The approval of the draft budget marks a significant milestone in the state’s fiscal planning and sets the tone for the implementation of key policy priorities aimed at economic recovery, infrastructure development, and social services improvement.