The deputy speaker and twelve members of the Warrap State parliament who missed being sworn in last month on Wednesday took the oath of office in the presence of Acting Governor Santino Diing.
Last month, 73 state parliamentarians were sworn in the presence of Governor Aleu Ayieny but some appointed members missed out due to logistical and other reasons.
Among those sworn in, nine are from the SPLM party, two SPLM-IO, and one from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
Acting Governor Diing urged the new lawmakers to work for the welfare of the state’s citizens instead of their political interests.
“I would like to congratulate the newly sworn-in members of the assembly. As members of different political parties, I urge you again to work and deliver services for and to the people of Warrap State in different areas despite of our political differences and interests,” he said. “Let us keep the people’s interests at heart because they are the ones we speak for. As the executive and legislative, our common factor is the welfare of our people.”
Kuec Deng Mayar, the Warrap State Assembly Speaker congratulated the new members.
“I will give my thanks and appreciation to the acting governor for coming to witness the event. For you my colleagues, starting with my deputy speaker, congratulations. There was a gap,” he said. “
Mayar Deng Mayar, the representative of constituency number 10 in Gogrial West County said he was not sworn in earlier because someone was erroneously appointed in his place.
“It has taken long because of some processes that were not in place because I was the elected member and I was intentionally left out due to reasons known to the governor who is also my chairperson of SPLM party and I thank President Kiir for my reinstatement,” he said.
He said his constituents were joyously celebrating his swearing-in.
A female lawmaker who also took oath said she could not do it earlier because she was not in the state.
“My name is Hon. Juakic Malek Agei and I am was elected to parliament in 2010. The delay was not that somebody was appointed in my position but I was in Juba when the first swearing-in ceremony happened,” ”he said. “When I came, I found the speaker was sick and the deputy speaker was not sworn and that is why it has taken up to today.”