The Yei River County Legislative Council last Friday resumed business after the former county commissioner closed it three years ago.
Speaking during the reopening ceremony, Claudios Milla, the chairperson of the County Legislative Council, thanked County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme and the Executive Director John Hillary Konga for facilitating the reopening of the council.
“Without the three arms of government, the executive, judiciary, and the legislature, work cannot run smoothly. The Legislative Council shall enact bylaws, implement the Local Government Act 2009, legislate public service conduct and behaviours of government employees,” he said. “The county has challenges like land demarcation, which cause conflicts within the communities, cutting down of trees without authorization, and delays in budget preparation and implementation.”
“There is also the problem of herders and their cattle entering into the territory of Yei River County, which needs to be taken seriously,” Milla added.
Representing religious leaders, Fr. Emmanuel Lodongo Sebit, the Secretary General of the Catholic Diocese of Yei, appealed to the county lawmakers to deliberate wisely to end death in the county.
“As we come together as lawmakers, let us have proper discussion of the laws that we come up with to reduce deaths and other issues,” he said.
On his part, Commissioner Taban expressed concern over the impact of conflicts that have affected the county, saying the opening of the council will allow passage of laws that will guide the county. He added that his administration will prioritize security and stability.
“From today, you are all part of the whole government of Yei, so if you want law and order, do not come and ask the commissioner because these are the lawmakers,” he said. “We have an issue in here, Yei, with our children who call themselves gangs. We spoke about it over the radio, but it is still going on, so the council must come up with a law in that regard because it is not a matter for the commissioner alone.”