W. Bahr el Ghazal speaker warns governor over interference

September 15, 2014 (JUBA) – The legislative assembly speaker in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state has warned governor Rizik Zachariah Hassan against interfering in parliamentary matters.

Andrea Mayar Acho told reporters on Monday that he had not personal problems with Hassan, but wondered why the latter was often overlapping him as speaker and instead dealt with the assembly’s deputy speaker.

“I have been in Juba for five months along with other state MPs and together we met the president, both national assembly and the council of states speakers, on our state matters with the governor of which now am ready to do my work without fear,” said Acho.

He said his problem with the governor arose after he opposed the executive’s control of the state budget, and directed a vote of no confidence against the finance minister, which Hassan turned down.

“We also have the issue of replacement of the three members of parliament who were removed last year and are still serving their term sentence in prison,” the speaker told reporters Monday.

He also accused governor Hassan of allegedly being responsible for the insecurity as well as unlawful arrest of the citizens in the state.

“The governor has also failed to settle the issue of salaries to the state employees as their pays remains very low,” Acho lamented.

Western Bahr el Ghazal assembly is mainly dominated by member of South Sudan’s ruling party (SPLM), but fears are high that its members could be torn apart as the organisation continues losing popularity.

The assembly, its speaker said, would open soon with the re-appointment heads of committee chairperson top of its agenda.

(ST)