New currency received with excitement
The South Sudan Pound made its maiden appearance in town last Monday July 18; nine days after South Sudan was declared an independent and sovereign republic.
On the Streets of Juba, the new note was not as wide spread by the end of last week. However, we caught up with a few people were lucky to be among the first to get the new currency. Here we run their reactions:
Amina Joshua who works at the Central Bank and among first people to receive the money said she had to keep telling and showing her friends what the money really looks like.
"I was very excited to get this money; I felt like shedding tears when I got the money. It is unbelievable that we could get our own money very soon. Thank God it has happened," Amina said.
David Lukhan, working for the Catholic Radio Network says the money is just what the new nation needs but says not regulating the flow could however hurt the economy.
"I think if these forex bureaus are not controlled or closed it will affect the new currency,” he said.
He said that having too much money in circulation can lead to inflation.
For Adelina Roba, a prisons warden, the launch of the money is just a topping on the cake of independence.
"This money is blood, as I get it I feel myself living through the happiest moments of my life. I have got independence and now my own money,” said Roba.
Mahjoub Ali, a flour dealer in Konyo Konyo market says getting the new currency is a boost to trade as the money will fill the gap being left by the Sudanese Pound.
The few people in the market who had the opportunity to be among the first to own the new currency were not willing to use it.
In taxis, some passengers were not willing to part with their new currency for fare.
On the day of the launch which took place at the premises of the Central Bank of South Sudan, excitement could be seen on the faces of senior government officials.
Emmanuel Kembe, one of the leading South Sudan musicians kept the audience entertained.
Outside the bank premises, members of the public waited eagerly to be allowed in to get their hands on the money but could not be allowed in.
Different leaders and dignitaries also expressed their views about the money.
Kenya's Central Bank Governor, Prof. Njuguna Ndungu, who attended the launch in Juba, says is a major achievement because in some other countries it took long before they got their own currency after gaining statehood.
For South Sudan minister of Finance and Economic Planning, David Deng Athorbei, whose signature appears on the notes, he has breathed a sigh of relief given the pressure he went thjrough to get the money printed.
President Salva Kiir who launched the currency and was the first to get it, urged South Sudanese who have money in foreign accounts to bring it back home. He called on citizens to work harder.
Central Equatoria State Governor, Clement Wani Konga, too called on hard work after getting the new currency.
Jonglei State's Governor, Kuol Manyang Juk, said that he is going to launch a campaign to sensitize his citizens about the new currency.
While, former Speaker of the SPLM National Liberation Council, Gabriel Mathiang said he is one glad citizen to receive "Money of Freedom, Money of Liberty and Money of Prosperity."
The head of the central bank, Elijah Malok said the more the governors cooperate with the bank officials to mobilize people to go and exchange the money, the faster the exercise.
He said if the exchange exercise takes long, there is a risk of the old Sudanese Pound "destroying” the new South Sudan economy as its excess will flood the South Sudanese market.
'Our currency, our lives'
In Lakes state, Benjamin Majok reports that residents of Rumbek received the new currency with joy.
“Our currency, our lives,” said Achinkoc Henry Deng.
Speaking shortly after the arrival of the currency in the state on Thursday, Achinkoc said; “July 9, 2011 is the date that should have not been forgotten in the printing of the new currency.”
“The federal minister of finance David Deng Athorbei should not have signed on the notes; only the governor of the Central bank of South Sudan is the right person to sign the money,” she added.
She was delighted to see the head of Doctor John Garang De Mabior in the new money.
For Mabor Riak Magok the new money looks beautiful and good.
“I appreciate the government of the republic of south Sudan for bringing the money on time,” he said.
“The new currency is reflecting the interest of the people of South Sudan because there are many symbols in it for diverse resources of the people,” said Riak.
Akim Cimas David is the member of the Central Bank of South Sudan (CBOSS) who will be responsible for the exchange of the currency said the value of the new money is equal to that of the old currency.
The director general in the state ministry of finance trade and industry, Angelo Makuac Chawuop urged all the companies and business people to go and exchange the money.
“There are only three exchange centres, these are; Rumbek, Cueibet and greater Yirol,” Makuac said.
He assured the public that the absence of a date in the money and the signature of the minister of finance will not devalue the money.
The manager Nile Commercial Bank (NCB), Daniel Mabor Machol, who is responsible for keeping the money assured of security during the exchange exercise.
