By Alan Clement
A lawmaker in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly has expressed concern over rising insecurity in the country after following a violent knife attack on MP Okello Odongto-Lawiri.
The assault, which left the legislator hospitalized with knife wounds, was raised during the TNLA’s Ordinary Sitting No. 18 on Tueday by John Junub-Otto, who described the attack as a shocking incident that underscores the vulnerability of public officials amid growing criminal activity in the capital.
“My information is that one of our Honourable Members, Honourable Okello Odongto-Lawiri, was attacked on Saturday by gangs. He was beaten and is now in bad condition in the hospital,” Otto told the Assembly.
He explained that Hon. Okello was ambushed shortly after alighting from public transport as he waited for a motorcycle to take him home.
“There were three of them on a motorcycle following him. When the public transport dropped him by the roadside, they attacked immediately. They used knives and injured him badly on the back and on the head,” he said.
The MP linked the incident to the lawmaker’s lack of personal means of transport and protection.
“This is the result of using public transport because he has no passenger car to use and no bodyguards to protect him,” he added.
Deputy Speaker Parmena Awerial who preside over the sitting acknowledged that the issue of MPs’ welfare and safety had been raised several times but remains unresolved due to financial constraints and instability within the Ministry of Finance.
“It is correct. It is the economic situation of the country,” the Deputy Speaker said.
“We have raised the issue of getting cars for all MPs, but with the changes of Ministers of Finance every now and then, nothing is consistent. One minister promises to work on it, then another comes in and it stops,” he added
He revealed that the Assembly leadership had also appealed to the President for support, but financial challenges had delayed any intervention.
“We raised the matter with the President together with Honourable Nunu, but because of the financial crisis, that one will not be done,” Awerial noted.
The attack on Okello has once again drawn attention to the rising insecurity in Juba and the vulnerability of public officials who lack personal protection and transport.