The speaker of the Central Equatoria State Legislative Assembly on Monday adjourned a session meant to question the state’s finance and cabinet affairs ministers to Wednesday 6 September.
Speaker Peter Wani Kulang told the house that he received a letter from the state’s Finance Minister Viana Kakuli Aggrey requesting additional time to prepare before her appearance before the state lawmakers. He declared that both the finance minister and Cabinet Affairs Minister Wayi Godwill Edward will now appear together on Wednesday.
The state legislature summoned the finance minister on 23 August 2023 to appear for questioning regarding the alleged illegal disposal of government land in exchange for cars and money.
The controversy was sparked by a letter written by Minster Kakuli and dated 8 March in which she sought authorization from Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony to exchange the finance ministry’s Plot No. 64, Block AXII in Juba’s Hai Malakal suburb for vehicles and service supplies.
She said that if approved, the plot of land would be transferred to Quick Global Logistics Company Limited in return for five new Toyota Hardtop vehicles to enhance staff mobility. The letter prompted the state parliament to summon both the state’s finance and cabinet affairs ministers for questioning.
Addressing state legislators on Monday, Speaker Wani Kulang confirmed receipt of a letter from Minister Kakuli requesting rescheduling of her appearance in the state assembly.
“I received communication from the minister of finance and she is requesting an extension for the invitation of the parliament to answer this call. She said she will come to parliament on Wednesday 6 September,” he said. “We will not have the minister of cabinet affairs presenting alone. That means we will also be requesting that all (both) of them come together so that they answer the questions here in the parliament.”
Wani further mentioned that although the Cabinet Affairs Minister was present in parliament on Monday, he too would return with the Finance Minister to address the questions on the following Wednesday.
Other senior Central Equatoria State officials including Juba County Commissioner Eng. Charles Joseph Wani and Local Government and Law Enforcement Minister Moro Isaac Genesio are expected to also appear in the state assembly on Wednesday to answer queries about insecurity and rampant land grabbing in Juba County, according to lawmakers.
The adjournment was made to provide time for the ministers to prepare for their thorough examination by legislators on Wednesday according to the parliamentary speaker.