Oil Revenue and People’s Socio-Economic Status in Unity State, South Sudan

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to find out the extent at which oil revenue management impacts on people’s socio-economic status in Unity State, South Sudan. In fulfilling this purpose, the following research objectives were set and these included: to establish effectiveness of oil revenue management; to examine socio-economic status of people in Unity State; and to establish relationship between oil revenue management and people’s socio-economic status in Unity State. Descriptive correlation design was used in this study and Slovene’s formula was also used to determine a sample size of 171 respondents from 300 study population and the sampling was done by the use of systematic random sampling. Self-administered questionnaires and interview guides were used as research instruments for data collection and validity and reliability of research instruments were done using Content Validity Index and pre-testing. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyses were employed. Mean, standard deviations were employed to determine the effectiveness oil revenue management and people’s socio-economic status while correlation matrix and regression model analysis were applied to establish the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Study findings reveal that oil revenue management in Unity State is still ineffectively managed and this was verified by overall mean average of 2.41. People’s socio economic status in Unity State was also lowly rated and this was confirmed by the overall average mean of 2.33. Concerning the relationship between the oil revenue management and people’s socio-economic status, the research findings reveal that there is positive and significant relationship between the two study variables and this was confirmed by the r= 0.981, R2=0.962; beta=0.981 and Sig=0.000. The study concluded that oil revenue in Unity State is still ineffectively managed; people’s socio-economic status is still low; and that an improvement in oil revenue management can significantly boost people’s socio-economic status in Unity State, South Sudan by benefiting directly or indirectly from oil revenue. Directly from the projects funded from the revenue and indirectly from employment opportunities etc. The study recommended that the government of South Sudan should streamline policy framework regarding oil revenue management; offer further training for those in charge of oil revenue; work hand in hand with international development agencies; and high external experts so as to improve on oil revenue management so that the socio economic status of people in Unity State.