Members of the Central Equatoria State Legislative assembly were on Monday sworn-in during the inauguration of the assembly’s first session in Juba.
The legislators took their oath of office in front of Governor Emmanuel Adil Athony.
“Today’s event is a great relief to the state government executive leadership as the assembly assumes its full responsibilities to handle the roles and duties of its oversight mandate. I further want to seize this golden chance to inform the August House of the existing harmonious and collegial spirit of work among members of the state cabinet,” Adil said.
The governor also took the opportunity to outline his plans.
“The state government has further gone ahead to formulate a State Development Plan anchored on six strategic thematic policy direction pillars namely; 1. security stabilization and peacebuilding 2. economic recovery through agriculture and investment, 3. access to social services and justice, 4. dignified return, resettlement and reintegration management, 5. good neighborliness, 6. making Juba City and other urban centers clean, green, and safe,” he said.
Governor Adil further declared that his government will advance the implementation of the following projects: “Rehabilitation of Terekeka-Tindilo- Tali Road; rehabilitation of about 49.5 miles’ road in Lirya Payam of Juba County; rehabilitation of Kiju bridge in Lainya County; construction of maternity hospital in Juba County; rehabilitation of Tali Health Centre; rehabilitation of KajoKeji hospital, rehabilitation of Yei Girls Secondary School; construction of Kinji Boarding Secondary School in Yei River County; completion of Lirya and Rokon Secondary Schools.”
He added that he will also improve and re-equip the Equator Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) with modern facilities in readiness for digital migration, construct a modern building for the state cabinet, and open major road networks within the state among others.
For his part, Central Equatoria State Legislative assembly speaker, Peter Wani Elia said the parliament should embark on legislating laws to restore hope and confidence that will encourage the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes.
“Our priority will be on the following areas; security and social services, voluntary return of refugees and IDPs, economic reforms, food security and security of lands for agriculture, restriction of cattle movement and invasion of farmlands, freedom and national consciousness, and review of the Central Equatoria State constitution to reflect R-ARCSS.”
According to him, to achieve all these goals, all the authorities in the state must cooperate and unite in the implementation of the strategy.