The president of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit at the open of the second session of the National Legislature has disclosed that he personal has reject the proposition that the best way to peace with Sudan is through dependence on Sudan.
“No nation can prosper by surrendering control of its economy to another nation and I want to assure you that we will resolve this impasse and we will do so in a way that respects fully the sovereignty of the Republic of South Sudan” the President told the Parliamentarians.
Kiir said that it’s the responsibility of the government to protect the wealth that is the rightful inheritance of the South Sudanese.
Kiir said that government will work with its partners and allies to guarantee security of transit and delivery of the oil to the rightful owners.
Kiir disclosed that the government has put efforts to build productive economic relationships with the neighboring countries and in a way that leaves the door open for good relations with Sudan. Kiir added that one of the hopes for independence of South Sudan was friendship with the people of Sudan.
“It remains our hope that our people will be free to trade move, and prosper together, we believed then, and we believe now that the time for peace with Sudan has come, we will stop at nothing short of a lasting peace between South Sudan and Sudan” the President Kiir stressed.
Kiir also urged the Parliamentarians to consider the budget shortfall. “we must be critical in cutting costs, the austerity measures committee has recommended cutting monthly spending to 500 million pounds in the 2012-2013 budget that will be presented to the Assembly” Kiir inserted.
He said that the government will support the cuts and necessary measures to ensure continued government operations and to ensure defense of South Sudan. He said urged the assembly to join the executive in prioritizing for food, medicines and fuel to the citizens of South Sudan.
“We are aware that our people who are in the Sudan are returning, this will increase the pressure on the already existing scarcity of food that is been experienced, so the Ministry of Agriculture will deliver 520 tons of seeds to farmers to curve that challenges. We must embark on food self-sufficiency by 2014, to renew agriculture, the government will launch agricultural investment fund in the magnitude of five billion pounds over the next five years” he reiterated. “My ministry of finance and agriculture will provide more details on how the fund will work” Kiir continued.
He said that the government welcomes participation from the partners, private, public and international bodies.
He further said that the Ministry of commerce, industry and investment in collaboration with the Bank of South Sudan will the next few weeks ensure that food is imported to reduce the current high prices of food at the markets across the country.
“We are urgently working with donors to get emergency relief to the states right not the world food program is sending 150 thousand metric tons of food to the states and together we are seeking another 500 million US dollars in additional food aid this year” he asserted.
He also reiterated that the Ministry of health in July will take over responsibility for delivery of medicines and medical supplies from the Multi Donor Trust Fund, saying that currently $36 million in medicines and supplies are being deployed to more than 1000 clinics and hospitals across South Sudan.
“ we still face great challenges in staffing clinics and in providing healthcare in rural areas, but through focus on priority needs such as anit-malaria, antibiotics and care for expecting mothers, we can save lives and help people stay healthy” he continued.
“I want you to take note that the fundamental work of this government remains unchanged, this legislative session must ensure safety and security along our borders, education for our children, ensure that our communities live in peace, provide basic healthcare facilities in our communities and especially to provide care for expectant mothers to reduce infant mortality rate, to provide our people with opportunities to support themselves and their families, to inform, enlighten and give citizens a voice in government and invest our limited oil wealth in building a sustainable economy that fully reflects our national sovereignty” Salva Kiir concluded.