The RTNLA MPs, demanded to be allocated private plots of land by the 'CES' Central Equatoria State government

File: CES, Juba South Sudan. 

Top Trending News Today:

• President Kiir, jets back to Juba after a three days official State visit to Moscow, Russia
  

• EES SPLM-IO Lawmakers, demands the passing of State's budget and accountabilit
  

• President Kiir, met Russian President, discussed about expansion of ties between the two countries
  

• Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, address investors to South Sudan's tourism sector
  

The motion was raised by, SPLM member of parliament from Unity State Hon. Pierino Malek Cook, the Unity State SPLM lawmaker raised the issue of land allocation by emphasizing the historical practice of allocating land to the 'MPs'. 

“Land used to be distributed to honorable members of the August House in the previous parliament. I need to inquire what went wrong in between and if we are entitled to land,” Hon. Pierino wondered. 

Read about: TNLA Parliament sitting abruptly adjourned today on Wednesday without any reasons

Hon. Pierino further said that, the lawmakers need to be dignified and allocated land so as to avoid the dubious land grabbing. 

“I think the honorable members need to be dignified and given land so as not to be involved in dubious land grabbing.” Hon. Pierino said. 

Read about: BREAKING NEWS: President Kiir appointed, Angelina Jany Teny as the new Minister of Interior

Hon. Deputy Speaker Oyet Nathaniel was the one chairing the meeting in response he said that, he urged the MPs to further investigate the matter, because there is no information on land allocations to the lawmakers. 

“I think land allocation to the honorable members has been a tradition. I do not know whether, by default, the honorable members of the first parliament were given some good treatment and were allocated land somewhere in the capital city, but this treatment now is not there,” Hon. Oyet said. 

Read about: MPs irritated by Michael Makuei Lueth remarks about the TNLA parliament having no mandate to write the constitution

“When we were reconstituted, we did not get any information that there was land available for allocation. The circumstances under which the previous parliament got land are not clear to me. This should be studied so that we know how to go about it if at all there is any provision that there is land that can be allocated to the honorable members.” Hon. Oyet added. 

“One thing that I know is that this is not part of the Emolument Act of the members of parliament and if anything, it will be out of courtesy or administrative consideration but it will not be a right that is enshrined in our Emolument Act,” Hon. Oyet added.

Also read about: GPAA Chief Administrator briefed President Kiir on general security situation after recent killings in Pochalla

Hon. Jackeline Benjamin Lady, SPLM-IO lawmaker, for her part she said that, she is actively pursuing the matter with the CES Minister of Lands and Physical Infrastructure. 

“Yesterday we went to the Ministry of Lands and Physical Infrastructure and I gave our names over five months ago to the ministry. They told us that they are going to give us land,” Hon. Jackeline explained. 

Also read about: I stayed in Juba to ensure that there is peace, FVP Dr. Riek Machar said

“I have been following up and even the day before yesterday I visited the ministry. I asked the minister about the issue of land for the MPs and support staff and he told us they are following up and we too should follow up with them.” Hon. Jackeline said. 

Hon. Jackeline further said that, he is assuring the lawmakers that, they will be issued the land. 

“I want to tell the MPs that land is going to be given to us.” Hon. Jackeline added.