Southern Sudan’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, David Deng Athorbei, has requested 50 million SDG for grain reserves in 2010’s fiscal budget. Athorbei said that the amount will help the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) address the issue of grains supplied to southern States in 2009 that has yet been paid for.  He said having a budget set aside for this reason will allow talks to begin with merchants who have not received payments. 

Media reports state that in 2009, GoSS purchased grain worth over six billion SDG for ten southern states.

Click and listen to David Deng Athorbei, Southern Sudan's Minister of Finance and Economic Planning