By Peter Kuol Kuch
A woman leader at Jonglei State women association has called for immediate reopening of the Jonglei State assembly following the recess.
Jonglei State assembly on recess for nearly a year now and this has concerned citizens to question logics beyond long recess of the law members in Jonglei State.
Speaking during workshop organised by INTERPID South Sudan on youth and women empowerment, Sarah Achieu, the Peace director at Jonglei State Women Association emphasised that several issues are facing the citizens in Jonglei and nobody can address them without the Parliamentarians.
“who are we if the parliament can remain close for that long time, we have a lot of things that nobody is talking about them. Just imagine this year, the entire University for our children has not been operational but nobody talked about it but these are the issues being addressed if the assembly is working.’’ Sarah Said.
Mss Sarah the Parliament acts as the voice of the community and keeping the parliamentarian on the recess undermine the voice of the community and the challenges, they encountered which need government attention.
Meanwhile, Hon. John Anyang, the chairperson of the Specialized committee at Jonglei State assembly stressed the assembly has been restrained to function through the long recess.
Mr. Agany stated that specialised committee of the State assembly has made several attempts to push the state governor Dr. Riek but there is attention that has been paid to it so far.
Hon. Anyang emphasized the Jonglei State has been operating without proper budget approved by the state parliament and that has hindered many development projects in state.
“There so many challenges being faced, but sometimes opt to be silence. Imagine there is no budget that has been made for the last five years. The internal issues we face are hard to bear but it’s out government- now what prompted the long recess. It’s best known by the government.’’ Anyang stated.
Meanwhile Bol Deng Bol, the Civil Society activist in Jonglei State has also echoed for the reopening of the Jonglei State assembly in order to address issues affecting the communities.
“We have been pushing a lot about the reopening of the assembly but nobody listens to us…there are a lot that the assembly should look into had it been it opened. So, we still call upon for the opening of the assembly.’’ Bol stressed.
Mr. Bol Stated the Civil Society Organisations have drafted Anti-Gender based violence that needs to be incorporated by the law makers in the State laws but the long recess of the Parliament can be hinder some important needs that the community through the parliamentarians.