President Salva Kiir Mayardit announced in a speech to open parliament in Juba yesterday that he expects the assembly to pass nine bills in the coming year.

The national assembly opened yesterday after a brief delay because of the absence of the Speaker Hon James Wani Igga who was on an official mission to Addis Ababa.

“Let me briefly outline for you what I expect from this August House in the year to come. First, there are laws and acts awaiting passage,” said Kiir, according to a text of his speech distributed by the ruling party.

“Some have waited for far too long. This is a key part of your work as legislators, and the nation is depending on your best efforts,” added the president.

The bills that the assembly will handle in the coming session are: the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill; the Agricultural Bank Bill; the Workers Trade Union Bill; the Right to Access of Information Bill; the Broadcasting Corporation Bill; the Media Authority Bill; the Advocacy Bill; the Pension Scheme Bill; the HIV/AIDS Commission Bill.