MPs to summon minister, economic cluster officials over looming hunger in nation

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Tuesday said they will soon summon the minister of humanitarian affairs, Albino Akol Atak and members of the economic cluster committee to answer questions over the looming hunger in the country.
Oliver Mori Benjamin, Chairperson of the parliamentary committee for information and also spokesperson for the TNLA speaks to journalists in Juba on Monday (Photo: Awan Achiek)

By Awan Achiek

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Tuesday said they will soon summon the minister of humanitarian affairs, Albino Akol Atak and members of the economic cluster committee to answer questions over the looming hunger in the country.

The summons came after Stephen Bol, the lawmaker representing Mayom County tabled an urgent motion on the food crisis in Mayom County.

Oliver Mori Benjamin, chairperson of the parliamentary committee for information and also spokesperson for the TNLA, said the minister and other officials have been summoned to answer queries on the cause of the food crisis in Unity State and across the country.

“Parliament has decided to summon the economic cluster headed by Dr. James Wani Igga, to appear in plenary together with members of the economic cluster to explain to the parliament the causes of this looming hunger in the Republic of South Sudan,” Benjamin told journalists after parliamentary session on Tuesday in Juba.

 “The minister concerned should explain to the members what efforts his ministry is exerting to assist in this situation of hunger,” he disclosed.

Benjamin said they plan to summon the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong to inquire about illegal gold mining in the State.

He said the lawmakers raised concern about individuals who mine gold and evade taxes.

“The governor of Eastern Equatoria State is requested to come and explain about gold mining in his state, gold is being taken out by individuals who don’t submit what is collected to the national treasury or the ministry of finance,” Benjamin said.

Stephen Bol, MP representing Mayom County said that his constituents have been displaced by flooding which in turn has destroyed farms.

“Now food supplies are dysfunctional, people’s source of livelihoods are damaged beyond resilience, animals have died in record numbers and agricultural production has stalled,” Bol said.

More than 750,000 people have been affected by flooding in 27 counties across eight states since May 2021.

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