The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ruben Madol, on Wednesday, tabled three bills in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) after they were passed by the council of ministers.
John Agany, the chairperson of parliament’s information committee, told reporters after the sitting that the three bills were tabled before the house, read, and submitted to the relevant committees which will hold public hearings and present them in 14 days.
“Justice Minister Ruben Madol Arol has come to present the National Mine Action Authority Bill 2023, the National Achieves and Record Bill 2023, and the National Public Health Bill 2023,” he said. “As usual the Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba, as the presiding speaker in the sitting, submitted the bills to the respective committees to deliberate and scrutinize and to hold public hearings.”
According to the lawmaker, considering that the country is scheduled to hold elections, parliament is committed to passing every bill that is tabled.
Agany pointed out that the National Mine Action Bill is very important because it will ensure that land is free and safe from landmines.
“You know South Sudan for 21 years was at war, and now especially this local war that we created, and for that matter, our land is full of mines,” he said. “It is not a secret and to make the land safe again, we need to remove the mines.”
According to Agany, the National Archives and Record Bill will help in preserving history while the National Public Health Bill will ensure that citizens receive the best medical treatment through insurance.
Relatedly, Speaker Kumba briefed the house about her recent trip to India and said the Government of India through its legislature expressed willingness to support South Sudan in developing a permanent constitution.
“Recently I had a trip to India to interact with the parliament there and to build strong bilateral relations. India being a mother of democracy can help us. They even want to help us as a parliament as we embark on the new constitution,” she said. “They are an older democracy who got independence 75 years ago and they are peaceful and their constitution is one of the best that has provided stability, peace, and prosperity in their country.”
The speaker, however, did not clarify how India will support South Sudan’s constitution-making process which is yet to commence.