Sheila Ponnie
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Lawmakers at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly complained about “ill-treatment” during the opening of the National Economic Conference on Monday.
Nyayang Lok, who represents Jonglei State, is demanding an explanation from the minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mary Nawai, on why the lawmakers are “treated with contempt whenever government functions are held”.
Ms. Lok said Monday’s scenario was one of the several government functions where lawmakers have been manhandled by the security personnel.
“Members of parliament are treated with disrespect, first of all, we get information about the invitation in the last hours and even some of us don’t get the first-hand information,” she stated in Parliament yesterday, as she further alleged that some of the lawmakers were mocked because of their perceived low-quality cars.
She further alleged that the situation got worse once they entered Freedom Hall and were pushed to back seats for lacking tags.
“We are members of parliament and our place should be known in each gathering. When the MPs are coming, they should have their tags on a table. These are members of the parliament whether we are coming or not our seats should be reserved,” she argued.
Nawai stressed the need for induction for the security personnel.
“I believe those who are harassing some of the MPs and some of the ministers are doing it without knowing the importance of MPs,” she said.
She added the best ministries to answer the concerns of the lawmakers are the ministries of national security and the interior.
The Deputy Speaker, Nathaniel Oyet, who presided over the meeting on Tuesday, concurred with the lawmakers adding that he witnessed some of the incidents.
“I witnessed the unfair treatment of our members right away at the gate. One honorable member was stopped and was arguing with the security and she even came out of her car trying to make a point,” Oyet said.
“We also realised during the preceding some of the speakers could not even recognise the right honorable speakers who were present and the parliament was not given any place to make a statement and yet the executives are being oversight by the parliament,” he added.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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