Members of parliament in Tonj State, one of the states which came into existence after President Salva Kiir issued a controversial 'Establishment Order' in October 2015 to divide up the country and create 28 states, have approved a cabinet of seven ministers and three advisors.

Speaker Mario Malok Lual commended the house for approving the cabinet without hesitation, saying there was a need to urgently approve the cabinet, advisors and deputy governor to avoid administrative vacuum after the creation of the state.

“The members have approved all the members of the cabinet and they have already taken oath of office. We expect them to start their work straight. Our people need services to be delivered to them and this was the reason the house did not delay in passing the cabinet because we don’t want to create administrative vacuum for the delivery of services,” Malok said on Tuesday.

Malok pledged that the parliament will work together with the executive in the delivery of services, work for peace, promote cohesion among communities and politicians in the area.

“There is a lot of work to do together with the executive and it is only when we cooperate as one body that we would be able to deliver services to our people. The parliament alone cannot do anything without the support of the executive and it is also same for the executive. They cannot work without the support of parliament.”

“The members of parliament make laws and carry out oversight functions and supervisory roles but this must be done in an environment of cooperation, not mistrust, not fear and not threats,” explained Malok when asked how he expects the parliament to relate with the new state executive in delivery of services in the area.

File photo: Tonj town