By Kitab Unango, SSMJ Juba, Friday (September 27, 2024) - In her recent compelling address to the South Sudan National Legislative Assembly, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba urged enhanced accountability from oil-producing states, emphasizing the necessity for local leaders to assume responsibility for the designated revenue shares granted to them. The speech focused on the 3 percent and 5 percent shares designated for community development and state governments, encouraging state leaders to prioritize
By Kitab Unango, SSMJ
Juba, Friday (September 27, 2024) - In her recent compelling address to the South Sudan National Legislative Assembly, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba urged enhanced accountability from oil-producing states, emphasizing the necessity for local leaders to assume responsibility for the designated revenue shares granted to them.
The speech focused on the 3 percent and 5 percent shares designated for community development and state governments, encouraging state leaders to prioritize their constituents' needs.
Hon. Kumba's speech brought to light a critical issue that has long plagued South Sudan: the disconnection between resource wealth and local development, which relies heavily on oil exports for its national revenue.
The allocation of a percentage of these revenues to the states where oil is produced has raised questions about how these funds are being used and whether they are having a tangible impact on people's lives.
“You should question your governors. What are they doing with the 5 percent?” Kumba asked the assembly, addressing the oil-producing states directly.
“They should not be complaining about clean water. They should not be complaining about schools or about roads, because that 3 percent is for community development.”
Her words resonated deeply, as they underscored a growing frustration among citizens in oil-producing regions who have seen little improvement in their living conditions despite the significant revenues generated from oil extraction.
The speech served as a wake-up call to both the citizens and the leaders of these states, which follows the recent suspension of the oil revenue management committee by the Ministry of Finance and Planning over unknown reasons but apparent corruption.
Kumba's remarks drew attention to the fact that oil-producing states receive a specific share of oil revenues intended for community development.
The Petroleum Revenue Management Act of South Sudan allocates 3 percent of oil revenue to community development projects in oil-producing areas, and an additional 5 percent to state governments for broader regional development initiatives.
Yet, many of these oil-producing areas continue to suffer from a lack of basic services such as clean water, education, and infrastructure.
Communities have expressed concerns about the improper management of these funds and their misallocation toward the intended projects.
She echoed these concerns, urging citizens to demand accountability from their governors and other local officials.
“These questions should not be raised here. They should be raised in the state, even in the state parliament,” she said, pointing to the need for citizens to engage at the local level and hold their leaders accountable.
One of the central themes of Kumba’s speech was the importance of oversight—both by citizens and by state parliaments.
She stressed that oil-producing states should not be facing the same challenges as non-oil-producing states, given the significant revenues they receive from oil production.
“You should provide oversight on the local government and the state government, but now you are crying like those states who do not have oil. They [other states] only have mangoes, oranges, and potatoes. This is a very serious issue. There must be accountability on this issue of 5 percent,” Kumba said.
Her statement drew a stark contrast between the resource-rich oil-producing states and those regions that rely on agriculture and other small-scale industries.
The implication was clear: oil-producing states have a unique advantage and should be using their resources to improve the lives of their citizens.
The fact that many are not doing so raises serious questions about governance and financial management.
Kumba's speech also emphasized the importance of state parliaments and local leaders in ensuring the proper use of oil revenues.
She urged these leaders to take charge of the development projects in their areas and to be open and honest about the distribution and use of the funds.
Numerous reports of mismanagement and corruption at both the state and local levels have surfaced in recent years, diverting funds away from community development projects.
Kumba’s call for accountability is a direct challenge to these practices, and it serves as a reminder that oil revenues belong to the people of South Sudan, not just the elites who control them.
The speech by Speaker Kumba comes at a critical time for South Sudan, as the country continues to face significant challenges in governance, development, and peacebuilding.
Despite its wealth in natural resources, South Sudan remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with limited access to basic services and infrastructure.
The disparity between the wealth oil generates and the actual conditions in oil-producing regions serves as a clear reminder of the need for improved governance and stronger institutions.
For real change to occur, local leaders must take Kumba’s message to heart and prioritize the needs of their citizens. This will require a commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance at every level, from the national government down to local communities.
Additionally, citizens must play a more active role in demanding accountability from their leaders. Her encouragement for citizens to question their governors and other local officials is a call to action that should not be ignored.
By holding leaders accountable and demanding that oil revenues are used for their intended purposes, citizens can help ensure that the wealth generated by South Sudan’s oil industry benefits all its people, not just a select few.