The Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly on Friday closed its second session and went on a two months recess.
The house was meant to go on recess in March but could not due to a lack of funds.
Severino Maira Janus, the speaker of the Eastern Equatoria State parliament, said parliamentarians will use the recess to go and interact with their constituents and brief them on the progress of the peace implementation among other things.
“We are breaking off late t because of circumstances beyond our control because there were no funds,” he said. “The MPs are now ready to go to their constituencies for recess and talk to their people about the current situation in the country, the coming of the returnees, the forthcoming election, and the implementation of the Road Map. They should also encourage their people to embark on agriculture.”
“We are going for two instead of three months’ recess because we have been waiting for the official closure of the assembly,” Speaker Maira added.
Meanwhile, Governor Louis Lobong tasked the lawmakers to carry messages of peace, explain the government’s policies, and also gather the views of grass root communities.
“I would like to request parliament to adjust their schedule to coincide with the beginning of the fiscal budget which begins in July. As you go on recess, I urge you to carry the messages and policies of the government to your constituencies,” he advised. “Join the county commissioners to advance the messages of peace, and reconciliation and to maintain law and order in your respective constituencies.”
“Also, take time to listen to our citizens and find out the issues affecting them,” Lobong added.
For his part, SPLM lawmaker Laboke Sebit said they are ready to go to their constituencies but that poor roads remain a challenge in the state and that the money they received will not be enough for them to travel to all parts of their constituencies.
“This is the rainy season and we have very bad roads in my area and we do not have access to transport. The money we were given does not cater for transport,” he lamented. “As I talk, all the MPs do not have access to cars or even mere motorcycles so it will be a challenge for us to move to some places.”
Another legislator, Lokoro Lokolombo of the SPLM party however said he was determined to reach all parts of his constituency despite the bad roads.
“I came from Budi and the roads there become impassable during the rains. The Ikotos, Lafon, and other roads will close. The Magwi road is fairly fine,” he said. “Because of our love for our country and people, we must reach the people even on foot. The truth should be told to the government that our constituencies completely lack roads.”
“Even the food in Magwi County cannot reach Juba or Torit because of poor roads so we have to prioritize the issue of roads,” Lokolombo added.
The parliamentarians said they were given SSP 300,000 as their recess package.