The Central Equatoria State assembly has summoned two state ministers and the Kajo-Keji County Commissioner to answer questions over rampant tree logging and insecurity in the county. 

Speaking to the press in Juba on Thursday, the Chairperson of Information at the legislative assembly James Modi Lomindi said: "This issue raised has become a general motion which is actually implied to the whole of Central Equatoria State because that is the concern of the forest that exists in Central Equatoria and South Sudan at large." 

Modi said those summoned are expected in the house on Monday next week. 

"Next week we are going to have the two ministers and the commissioner here on Monday particularly to have this sitting done and questions addressed. We normally have an opportunity of seven days for the ministers to prepare themselves for those questions so that they are here," he added. 

Lomindi said that despite orders banning logging activities in the state, companies are still operating in the region felling trees in Kajo-Keji, Morobo, Yei River, and other parts of the state. 

"It is a concern that the assembly has seen that it necessary that the two ministers and the county commissioner come to answer why there is the issuance of permits given to these companies and yet orders have been made and they are continuing to cut down the forest," he said.

He further said some rebel forces in the region are responsible for the destruction of the forests in which they hide. 

According to Lomindi, the state assembly has resolved to constitute a fact-finding parliamentary committee to investigate logging claims in Central Equatoria State.  

Following persistent public outcry, the state governor in an executive order in October 2020 directed the ministries of agriculture and local government to implement a ban on the logging business in the state. 

However, Hon. Mila Amos in his motion said that despite the orders, the logging business has flourished unabated.