South Sudan regrets parliamentary delay in 2010 budget

By Ngor Arol Garang

January 28, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The regional government of South Sudan has regretted parliamentary delays in deliberations required for passage of the 2010 budget.

“We are past parliamentary schedules for deliberations needed to pass this 2010 budget because, most of members are still out in their constituencies preparing for the upcoming elections,” said Peter Bashir Bandi, chairperson of the specialized committee for information at the chamber.

Because of being far behind schedules, the house of representatives during its meeting on Monday 25, resolved to send an urgent message summoning return of the members of parliament to deliberate on the 2010 fiscal budget in its second reading, he adds.

The MP who heads specialized committee for information, youth and culture, Peter Bandi, in a press conference held in Juba, on Tuesday 26, emphasized that the legislators’ engagement in the preparation for upcoming elections has profound effects in the deliberations.

“The house is empty,” he said adding that one hardly finds those members known for positive contributions in the assembly. He categorically attributed delay in the endorsement of this year’s budget to lack of full quorum in the assembly.

The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly made a call requesting return of its members as the national elections commission ends its deadline for submission of nominations of aspiring candidates in the upcoming elections. The commission release revealed that 7,000 applications for over 1,600 executive and legislative seats at all levels.

The elections are expected to face stiff competitions as members of various political parties including independent members from within parties such as SPLM have expressed dissatisfactions with nomination procedures making it possible for them to contest elections independently.

(ST)