Fuel subsidy cripples economy further, says economist

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Fuel subsidy cripples economy further, says economist
File photo: Marial Awou
File photo: Marial Awou

Professor Marial Awou Yol, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics at
University of Juba, called on the government of South Sudan to lift
fuel subsidies, saying the current policy of fuel subsidy only serves
to cripple the economy more and does not help the ordinary citizens.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Marial said that the ordinary
citizen does not benefit from the subsidies except for those who own
companies and vehicles.

He suggested that the subsidies can be lifted gradually with a 50%
lift and the remaining half can be lifted after six months.

Earlier this month, members of South Sudan’s parliament rejected a
proposal to lift fuel subsidies during the deliberations of 2017-2018
fiscal budget.

The Minister of Finance, Stephen Dhieu came up with the proposal to
lift government fuel subsidies, saying the money could be used to pay
civil servants’ salaries.