The Upper Nile State Parliament passed a budget amounting to 742,907,638 South Sudanese Pounds today, Speaker Joseph Deng Barac and Finance Minister Ayong Awer Lual announced.

The majority of the budget goes to operations and salaries. 43% were allocated to the state’s various ministries and commissions, while 39% of state funds will go to the thirteen county administrations.

Education received 11% of the budget, while health received 7%.

The Finance Minister said that the government plans to recruit 3 consultant medical doctors to be paid 5000 SSP each per month, as well as 13 specialized medical practitioners to be paid 4000 SSP per month, and 39 general physicians earning 3000 SSP per month.

The budget was approved by 26 members of parliament. The state information minister said six other MPs were absent with permission, and another 14 absent without permission, including some believed to be dead or defected to the opposition.