South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State government on Wednesday swore in members of its legislative assembly during the assembly’s first session since it was formed last year.
The speaker and legislators took their oath of office in front of the president of high court Justice Obac De-Nyong and Governor Louis Lobong Lojore.
“I want to pledge that my administration shall work with this august house in the spirit of cooperation for the common good, our state, and people. I call upon ministers to prepare their policy statements and start submitting them to both the council of ministers and the state legislative assembly. Equally, I also call upon the minister of finance to submit the budget both to the council of ministers and the parliament. I also call upon the minister of cabinet affairs to present to the august house the Emolument Act”,” Governor Lobong said in his address.
Governor Lobong said his government will lobby for funds to train the legislators of their mandate within the context of the 2018 peace agreement.
Severino Maira Janus the speaker of the Eastern Equatoria state assembly announced that his main priorities would be to improve the lives and environment of the members of parliament.
“The plans I have for the revitalized parliament are; improving the wellbeing of both the honorable members and staff of parliament, improve parliament building, if you go around the condition of the building is threatening the tiles and some parts of the roof have fallen. Improving the environment by installing a water system, hygiene and sanitation, build a cafeteria for the well being of the members of parliament,” he explained. “Promoting interparliamentary relationship between our parliament and those of other neighboring states and regions, conduct capacity building for both members of parliament and the staff, provide microphones in every table in the parliament during debates, to avoid unnecessary movement of the protocol in the hall.”
Maria further urged the MPs to cooperate with the executive and judiciary for the achievement of state plans in line with the peace deal.
However, SPLA-IO lawmaker, Vitale Ofire Rafael says it was time for the parliamentarians to promote peace and improve security in the state.
“Our programs will be geared towards maintaining peace and security in this state. There have been challenges and we still have these challenges. It will be our role as a legislative assembly to tackle these challenges one by one so that our people can live in peace,” he added.
Another MP Marchello Ohiram, a first-time legislator says he will engage the government to provide basic services to the people.
“My community needs schools, they need hospitals, clean drinking water they look for water in far places, insecurity is also there these are things which are supposed to be done by the government and I have to report that,” Ohiram said.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a decree reconstituting and appointing members of the Eastern Equatoria state legislative assembly on 17th November 2021.