---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> Date: Sat, Jun 23, 2012 at 6:57 PM Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] 'We did not go to the bush to loot our country' - James Wani Igga To: Group <[email protected]>
"SPLM must be on the lead to crack-down on those criminals. We did not go to the bush to loot our country of $4 billion. Certainly, much more practical and legal move needs to be done in this battle against the invisible person called maladministration alongside nepotism" - James Wani Igga BEGIN Speech by Rt. Hon James Wani Igga, Speaker of South Sudan National Legislative Assembly, Before the Parliamentarians at SSNLA - June 11, 2012 H. E. the President of RSS/Gen. Kiir Mayardit, H. E. the Vice President/ Lt. Gen. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, The Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Council of States, H. E. the President of the Supreme Court, The Rt. Hon. Deputy Speakers of the two Houses, Your Excellencies the Advisors and Ministers, Your Excellency the Governor of CES, The Hon. Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Our respected Religious Leaders, The Hon. Members of the National Legislature, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, My warmest greetings and salutes to each and every one of you. Hon. Members, you are all very much welcome back, after sixty days of highly commendable fruitful field work, but for technical reasons we call it “recess”. The field can also be abroad by the way. So thousands of moburukat for your intensive foreign campaigns and mobilization, done at the opportune moment. In the light of the prevalent political, economic and security situation in our young country over the last 75 days, the visits by the two houses, domestic and external were not only vital but imperative mainly aimed at reinforcing the efforts of the executive. Sure, there were vacuums in terms of enlightenment and mobilization in the two spheres. Admittedly, it was a difficult phase our infant Republic had to undergo, economically and politically. This is, however, no cause for alarm or worry, for there is never a permanent cloud hanging overhead. Those who beat the drum of war without knowing how difficult, ruinous and devastative war is, should have now learnt nasty lessons. A few days ago Khartoum stated that inclusion of Panthou/Heglig in the map of RSS is a declaration of war. This war-mongering disposition is absolutely uncalled-for. Khartoum must understand that South Sudanese are peace- loving people. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called children of God. It is crystal clear that our negotiating teams are doing their level best, but are being led by the bellicose attitude of the NCP. During the 60 days, Hon. Members, you were able to sensitize our people and educate them on the facts of the recurring invasions of our land, violation of the air- space by the Sudan Armed Forces and the justification for our Forces’ organized pull- out from Panthou. I congratulate you whole-heartedly, and strongly condemn the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of the Sudan Armed Forces which has continued unabated. Mr. President, Hon. Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, Since our last sitting in August 2011, a lot of water has passed under the bridge but most importantly this National Legislature has taken gigantic strides toward the realization of its mandate as enshrined in the Transitional National Constitution 2011. During that period we truly showed to our people whom we represent, that we are concerned and labouring for their unity of purpose and nationhood and that we carried out our functions of legislating, overseeing the Executive and promoting the decentralized system of governance diligently. Mr. President, Hon. Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let us talk about some of what we scored in the last session. ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE JULY, 9TH OF LAST YEAR. With your hard commitment and determination, I am delighted to inform you that a lot has been done, though much more still needed to be accomplished. Amongst the matters accomplished are: a- Public Mobilization Comrade President when you addressed this joint House on Panthou conflict, your good-self called upon the National Legislature to go for public mobilization and sensitization to educate the people on the crisis between the Republic of South Sudan and Sudan. In that regard the House debated your speech and resolved to form the National Legislature Sensitization Effort Committee (NALSEC). NALSEC under the Chair of the Speaker of the National Legislature carried out extensive mobilization tasks and delegations were promptly dispatched domestically and internationally, to have the truth made known to the world. Our Defense and Public Order Committee was dispatched to the front lines to boost the morale of our gallant forces while other Committees were sent to different States to sensitize and mobilize the population. As we are assembled here today some delegations are still on their missions. b- Legislation In The field of legislation, 22 Bills have been enacted by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), 18 of which have been assented to by the President of the Republic of South Sudan. In the process of Legislation, we are proud to note the vigorous participation of the stakeholders and interests groups during the public hearings carried out by our Committees while debating the Bills specially on the National Election, the Political Parties and the Petroleum. Indeed we are obliged to work with stakeholders including academia research institutions, special interests groups and civil society organizations on an ongoing basis to ensure that we have access to independent resources of specialized knowledge and information. In that way alone, we shall have addressed the imbalance that the Legislature a key institution of democracy does not only hold Government accountable but it is also equally accountable to the people. This practice of public hearings shall continue if only to let the public participate in making their voices heard. c- Capacity Building In the field of capacity building, we have taken Members/staff through workshops, delegations abroad, attachments, study visits and participation in the regional Parliaments, which all amounted to 18 fruitful events. Three Community outreach visits were carried out separately by the Parliamentary Women Caucus, Committee of Legislation and Legal Affairs and a select five women Committee of the Parliamentary Women Caucus. d- Respect for the Constitution This National Legislature shall persist to respect the noble and sacred constitution and actually abided by it when 107 members of the NLA and 35 of the Council States voluntarily declared their assets in compliance with Article 120 of the Transitional Constitution 2011. >From this podium may I congratulate and appreciate, spearheaded by the speaker, those members who have declared their assets. This exercise is the threshold from which the fight against corruption starts. The young beautiful image of our great country is in danger of being tarnished by unparalleled extent of corruption. e- The role of Oversight During the last session the Ministries of Interior and of Higher Education Science and Technology presented their respective Work Plans before the NLA. Now that the Hon. Ministers have had some times in their Ministerial Offices and acquainted themselves with the operational set-ups of their individual Ministries, the time has come and is now, when they must prepare to present their Work Plans before the NLA for scrutiny. This issue cannot be over emphasized for it represents the promises of each individual Minister and Ministry to the people, a yardstick we use in Parliament, in overseeing the function of each Ministry. In this regard I urge here the Hon. Ministers who have not yet presented their work plans to the Parliament to do so at once. Your Excellencies, As Parliamentarians, we must constantly look for ways to improve good governance and accountability. We should not lose sight of the fact that the best kind of support we can provide to the Executive is through scrutiny, and ensuring that promises are lived up-to. Holding the Executive to account is the finest Parliamentary tradition globally of doing the optimum we can for the people we represent. FUTURE AND IMMEDIATE ACTION PLANS Our next strategies in the immediate terms shall be: 1- Deepening and entrenching people-centered democracy in the Parliament as well as the entire Republic of South of Sudan; 2- Bolstering the Assembly capacity in law-making (with greater emphasis on private members’ Bills); 3- Strengthening the members to engage, participate in, and check balance our international relations and; 4- Building an effective and efficient Legislative organ. Given our Country developmental challenges, it is critical that we develop common vision of the Legislative oversight functions with a strong emphasis on financial accountability. The oversight process must also involve assisting and ensuring that what the Executive has promised to our people through their Work-Plans and programmes is delivered. In that regard it shall be prudent of us to strengthen our oversight functions by devising new or improvised methods, means, techniques, styles and stratagems. 5- Pass its Conduct of Business. So far in its joint meetings the Legislature has been using regulations of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). It must have its own code of conduct after this. I here urge the ad-hoc committee tasked for the same to finalize its work. 6- Laws assented to, need to be gazetted for the knowledge of the public. I seize this opportunity to urge the Ministry of Justice to install the laws gazetting facility. 7- Passing of the 2012/2013 Annual Budget. 8- Installing and improving security devices and arrangement in the Parliament premises. 9- Stepping up capacity building including to benefit the States Assemblies. 10- Pass and adopt the new strategic Master Plan and job Description for the NLA. 11- Time allotted to Parliamentary deliberations daily in the electronic media is hardly two minutes. The public has to be thoroughly furnished about trends of debates in the House. I therefore call upon our Ministry of Information to earmark at least one hour in Radio and TV every day of the sitting. 12- The war on corruption shall be stepped up more than any time before. Our parliament shall never compromise on this evil. Your Excellency, Mr. President Sir, a big credit to you for the tough move. A nation is greater than an individual. If implemented to the spirit and letter, this measure will doubtlessly clean our house and leave indelible legacy for your reign and governance of this infant and delicate nation. Please remember, each of us got to leave behind a superb profile. SPLM must be on the lead to crack-down on those criminals. We did not go to the bush to loot our country of $4 billion. Certainly, much more practical and legal move needs to be done in this battle against the invisible person called maladministration alongside nepotism. 13- The Assembly shall give priority in mobilizing our people for food production. We must utilize our oil revenue, if any, to enhance agriculture. We must target to become self-sufficient in food production in the next three years. 14- Sensitization on need for peaceful co-existence and disarmament of all communities shall be the Assembly principal area of mobilization and goal. 15- The unity of the people of South Sudan shall begin in this House by us its leaders here giving the example and the lead by stepping up cooperation and patriotism. 16- The House shall see into that unprecedented improvement on non-oil revenue is carried out forthwith. Focus and special attention must be paid to: a)-Capturing Juba Airport arrivals and departures’ fees paid by foreign travels, b) - Collecting air tickets taxes from the airlines operating in South Sudan, c)- Collecting (electronically) parking fees for all vehicles entering the airport area. A separate gate could be opened for presidential and state guests’ traffic. d) - Installing road toll electronic systems on major roads, e)-Expediting the opening of commercial bank sub-branches at revenue centers, f)-Abolishing exemption from customs duties and tariffs of imports. All government related imports are to be budgeted gross of taxes and tariffs. At the same time our organs shouldn’t overtax nor embarrass traders/drivers from our East African neighbours. The Banks are here urged to quickly establish branches at critical border points such as Nadapal, Nimule, Kaya, and so on, so that never again shall cash be paid to customs and tax officials. 17- This House shall relentlessly work towards amelioration of adherence to human rights in the country. Adequate education and awareness creation of the people but specially the organized forces shall immediately be carried out by MPs in their constituencies. This shall embody observance on the rule of law. All must be equal before the law. This is the surest way for us to live peacefully together. 18- Hon. Members our standing specialized committees shall leave no stone unturned to summon officials of all ranks for any irregularity or non-performance. 19- After thorough discussing and resolving on the audit report of 2005 and 2006, the Assembly resolved and referred some cases to the Attorney General for prosecution. The Assembly urges our Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary arm of government to speed up on such cases. 20- Due to the escalating degree of insecurity and criminality in towns, our committee on Defense and Security will have to question the concerned ministries. I don't know why it is impossible for our soldiers and policemen to wear identification uniform numbers. Mr. President, Hon. Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, The National Legislature is charged at this crucial point in time to seriously consider ratification of treaties acceded to and external loans granted to our Government. The National Legislature showed deep concern on the issues that touch on the livelihood of our people through such Parliamentary oversight mechanisms of questions, requests for statements, summons before Committees for purpose of interrogation and lastly but not least, tabling of motions on urgent and important matters. However effective and important these mechanisms may be, without unity of purpose by all Political parties on fundamental National issues coupled with individual members’ active and constructive participation in the debates, our final objective and vision will be hard to attain. May I end here by welcoming H.E the President to address the august sitting. Mr. President, Sir, you are warmly welcome to address the representatives of your people. Thank you. Signed: Rt. Hon. Lt. Gen. Wani Igga, Speaker, NLA – Juba. END ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan, South Sudan Advisor [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +211 919 695 362 (South Sudan mobile) +27 82 050 1235 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, John Ashworth is not the author of the content and the source is always cited. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sudan-john-ashworth" group. 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