Michael J. Adler made the remarks while addressing the opening of the five-day National Economic Conference in Juba on Monday 4, September.
“The pride of South Sudanese people of all backgrounds in the team’s performance is clear, at the same time I remained concerned that the funding allocated to the National Basketball Team exceeds the amount made available to the humanitarian sector,” he said.
Adler said he remained concerned that the allocation of budget for the National Basketball Team exceeded the amount that was made available for humanitarian assistance.
The US diplomate also said at present, the largest portion of South Sudan’s public revenue including the oil revenue is spent on roads and does not benefit the citizens.
The Ambassador cited the opportunity cost of such expenditure to meet other priorities including the low and non-payment of civil service and the security sector salaries -something he says, serves as the primary drivers of criminality.
” For example, the largest portion of South Sudan public revenue including the majority of the oil revenue spent on the road, yet how much benefit has the South Sudanese seen from the spending, Could these funds be better used, what is the opportunity cost of the spending,” he asked.
J Adler added that the health sector relied overwhelmingly on international assistance with only 2 percent coming from the transitional government.
Despite the return of South Sudanese from Sudan, the Ambassador said, the government only allocated three million dollars for humanitarian support.
Meanwhile, commenting on the National Economic Conference, J. Adler said he regretted that there is no such environment for South Sudan’s private sector to thrive and for the economy to experience growth.
He cited the lack of political will to implement the peace agreement and mismanagement of the public funds.