The little to Appreciate
By Athian Mayen
In review of the year, nothing catches your eye except for the activities that have come up in the last quarter; indeed it’s safe to say that there’s a glimpse of hope in Juba despite the apprehension that has been the hallmark of 2014 for obvious reasons.
After a short while, we’ve begun to appreciate the local authorities for traffic lights, and the gantries (overhead directional signs), being installed in strategic areas of the city with more yet to cover the whole town. This is indeed going to make life better.
It has been observed that, the Dutch disease of relying on oil, usually grips countries endowed with it. Though, our politicians have persistently been singing about increasing of non-oil revenues, there’s been no bold action taken till now.
Recently, after the assessment and subsequent shut down of revenue collecting agencies in Nimule and Nesitu, The Finance Minister had this to say: “The result has been dramatic, from daily remittances from Nimule averaging 400,000 to 500,000 pounds, we are now talking of 2.5million a day.”
The customs department had become a diamond mine in this society, which has made many citizens wish for this job as it guarantees immediate wealth.
The question is, who are the victims of this vicious overhaul? Of course, the kind and loving people around you or likely, anybody you directly or indirectly benefit from.
This sweet bitter development affects people especially the rogue agents, who are going to settle for less. But at least, it’s breaking the cycle for the good of the country in the long run.
So what’s next? I’m told that the same taskforce that put people out of business in Nimule and Nesitu, is headed to the airport; let’s wait and see.
Meanwhile, as the year turns, you would certainly like to see a change in the way the hard currencies are managed, especially the dollar. While, the dollar has certainly become a commodity, it is necessary to cut queues and all the difficulties that now characterize the quest to acquire it.
This issue has crippled our economy and definitely had adverse effects on the livelihoods of the common man. The earlier the authorities act to remedy this, the better. I think the last quarter is not too bad
Wish you a Happy December
Reacheable at; mayenathian@gmail.com
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