The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ruben Madol Arol, on Thursday tabled the Aviation Authority Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2023 and Fiscal and Financial Allocation Monitoring Commission Bill 2023 two bills before the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).
The Aviation Authority Act, 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2023, provides for the conformity of the Civil Aviation Authority Act 2012 with constitutional, legal, and political guiding principles, objectives, and ideas in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, and the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan.
Furthermore, the amendment process is also to conform to the reforms called for in the peace agreement.
While presenting the bills during an extraordinary sitting on Thursday, Minister Madol said the purpose of the bill is to develop and regulate the civil aviation industry.
“The purpose of this amendment bill is to provide a regulatory framework to develop and regulate the civil aviation industry and to provide a system for assuring aviation safety,” he said.
According to the minister, the bill can also provide security for aerodromes and compliance with aviation standards.
“This amendment bill is drafted in accordance with article 142 read together with the provisions of schedule (A), paragraphs 12 and 27 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as amended,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Fiscal and Financial Allocation Monitoring Commission Bill, 2023, is to provide for the establishment of an independent Commission to ensure transparency regarding the allocation of nationally collected funds to the States and Counties.
“The Bill provides for the conformity of the Fiscal and Financial Allocation Monitoring Commission Bill, 2023, with the constitutional, legal, and political guiding principles, objectives, and ideals in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, 2018 and the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended),” Marol said.
Article 4.11 of the 2018, revitalized Agreement, which is on Wealth Sharing and Revenue Allocation, states that the revenue collected by the National Government shall be allocated to the different levels of government and that the RTGoNU shall review and reinvigorate the independent Fiscal and Financial Allocation Monitoring Commission (FFAMC).
Upon receiving the two bills, TNLA Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba committed them to the relevant committees which will present them to the House after members return from recess.