Jonglei’s Bor MPs remain opposed to Land Bill
By Philip Thon Aleu
July 12, 2008 (BOR TOWN) – Members of Parliament (MPs), from Bor County, retaliated their resistance to recognize the Land Bill passed by Jonglei State Assembly and “will take all the necessary steps, reaching any stage and trying by all lawful means to compromise with the government and the community,” Saturday Community meeting held here resolved.
The meeting – which brought State and South Sudan MPs, Commissioner and intellectual Community leaders of Bor County, centered on strategies to accelerate development projects at Payam levels and framed phases to block State government from endorsing the Land Bill.
State MPs clarified that the Land Bill, moved for discussion and voted in State Assembly on July 3, was totally disordered, bears forged signatories and generally unclear.
“The bill was signed by former Governor on December 7 when he was changed a day before,” said State MP Deng Kut adding “no one knows whether that signature is for the former Governor – because it does reflect his name; and stamp’s date differs from the signature’s date.”
The Land Bill expands State capital toward distance villages – agriculture is practiced; a move Bor County leaders say is provocative. “We are being targeted to force us into causing problems.
This is total displacement and more than forcing us to chase the State Headquarters,” said Bor County Commissioner Abraham Jok Ariing.
He also affirmed “this is a planned robbery and we are not party to that Bill.” Bor County MPs, at the State legislative Assembly, matched out in protest but the House proceeded by simple majority making the bill an act pending governor’s endorsement.
In today’s meeting, Bor MPs, at the South Sudan Assembly, pledged to back State MPs and welcome a letter of complain presented to the Governor. Being suspicious about State Assembly’s motive, the MPs promised to exhaust all lawful means.
“The State Ministry of Land violated community and government boundaries, as agreed, by starting taking NGOs beyond limits. It means; there is a hidden agenda and it is a constitutional case that we shall go court,” Ajang Tiit, chairman of Bor community land commission told the meeting prompting members to gasp in disbelieve.
Tiit describes the land bill as “land annex” because it does imitate the will of the community, he says. Tiit disclosed that community gave 6.8 miles toward Makuach, 3.8 miles to Anyidi, (in the east), 5.8 miles to the south and north respective. He says this vast land is not surveyed and creditably distributed to Jonglei citizens.
Mabior Leek, Justice Makuei Lueth and Nyanchiek Nhial – Bor MPs in the South Sudan Assembly, registered their disappointment with land bill and very surprised but dogged to take all options to serve community interest.
“We will take all the necessary steps for there are many options to compromise government and community needs,” Hon Mabior Leek said.
In related development, a committee of eleven (11) members has been formed to draft development projects that the MPs will forward to South Sudan Assembly for the release of County Development Funds (CDF).
(ST)