By Bosco Bush
The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has resolved to summon at least 11 national ministers to appear before the August House on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in response to the looming hunger and economic crises.
This decision was made during the TNLA’s ordinary sitting on Wednesday, where the First Deputy Speaker, Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, stated that the move came as a result of the catastrophic economic situation, the impending hunger and starvation predicted to rise in the coming months, and other pressing humanitarian crises.
Hon. Oyet explained that the TNLA’s decision to summon the ministers was a follow-up to its resolutions made on May 13, regarding the looming hunger and the utilization of the nation’s resources.
In May, the TNLA had already summoned ministers under the economic cluster to address the economic crises and hunger in the country.
“We managed to tress the resolution of the August House which was signed on date 13 of May 2024 that was on the looming hunger in the Republic of South Sudan and usage of national resources such oil, minerals and non-oil revenues,” he said.
“The Ministers that were summoned including the Minister of Finance and Planning, Minister of Petroleum, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. Also that the remaining national ministers under the Economic Cluster be subsequently summoned accordingly.”
“So, we reactivated the summon and we have written to them yesterday (Tuesday) to the Ministers of Finance, Petroleum, Mining, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Trade and Industry, Environment and Forestry, Water Resources, Land Housing and Urban Development, Wildlife Conservation, Investment.”
Hon. Oyet stated that, TNLA expects critical policies and the level of preparedness of the relevant ministries in combating the looming hunger and dire economic situation in the country.
“We have summoned them to appear in the August House in order to provide their ministries’ policy response to combat the looming hunger and dire economic situation in the Republic of South Sudan.”
“We have also emphasized that the Ministers of Finance and Planning, Petroleum, Mining, Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Food Security; are expected to provide a comprehensive bailout plan to alleviate the dire economic crises in the country,” Oyet stated.
Oyet also noted that the discussion next week will help the MPs establish the resource envelope as they move towards the budget discussion which is expected to be presented to the House in the next few weeks/days.
On Tuesday, at least 43 people reportedly died of starvation in Greater Pibor Administrative Area since June, which has been gripped by a devastating hunger crisis.
The dire situation has captured the attention of national and international bodies as the local government and humanitarian agencies scramble to address the escalating emergency.
Local authorities said the most recent deaths involved three elderly women who perished last week, adding to the already staggering toll.
The Council of Ministers, in its regular meeting last week passed 4.2 trillion South Sudan Pounds (SSP) revised fiscal budget for the 2024-2025 financial year.
The budget now awaits tabling to the national parliament.