Ambitious National Exercise Begins
Juba’s Freedom Hall turned into a policy workshop as Vice President Josephine Lagu inaugurated South Sudan’s first national headcount and biometric registration. The exercise sets out to verify every public employee and erase the ‘ghost worker’ phenomenon haunting state finances.
Why Payroll Reform Matters
Standing before ministers, donors and trade union leaders, Lagu framed the audit as “a national priority and personal mission.” She insisted that accountability, fair pay and morale depend on clean data, warning that no institution will be allowed to obstruct the process.
Technology and World Bank Support
Officials say outdated paper files create loopholes that drain scarce oil revenue. By introducing fingerprint and facial recognition tools, the Ministry of Public Service hopes to build a real-time payroll database that can be reconciled instantly with attendance and performance records.
Human Capital Beyond Oil Revenues
The World Bank provided technical templates and funding for mobile kits deployed across ten states. Project coordinator Peter Lual noted that successful enumeration could unlock further budget support, because “partners track credible reforms almost as closely as they track conflict statistics.”
Looking Ahead to Sustainable Governance
Beyond payroll, authorities seek to map skills, age brackets and gender balance, guiding scholarships and local training schemes. Economists argue such data are vital if South Sudan wishes to diversify away from oil and harness its youthful labour force.
Lagu closed the ceremony with a pledge to publish periodic progress briefs. Civil society groups welcomed the timetable, noting that transparent milestones can convert reform rhetoric into durable administrative culture—an outcome many citizens consider essential for lasting peace and economic stability.