Restaurant inside state parliament invokes criticism

By Manyang Mayom

September 3, 2010 (RUMBEK) — The parliament of Lakes state has been criticized for allowing one of its members open a restaurant in the premises of the legislative body.

Adiel Maker Manhom, a member of Lakes state legislative Assembly and owner of the restaurant said the restaurant is named “Hope Restaurant” and is located next to parliament building just 2 meters to the office of the Speaker.

The restaurant serves office front doors with soft drink inside parliament building. “I have decided to open this restaurant to help women who were left by war as widows – I need to help them to let them gain some money in what they could deliver in this restaurant,” she explained.

Eight (8) people are employed to serve in the restaurant. Among them is foreigner who sells soft drink. However, payment is done on daily basis; one day is charged with 20 Sudanese pounds per day.

She affirmed that “No more work in government institutions, that why I decide to open this restaurant to serve public in term of getting easy job employment but there is nothing that can affect my immune as lawmaker”.

Lakes state legislative assembly Conduct of Business limited constitutional posts holders in working as business people and Assembly code of conduct indicated clearly that only Assembly issues could be done within assembly building premises.

Speaking by phone, Lakes state Assembly Speaker John Marik Makur, declined to answer the question “which mandate was used to have that restaurant open inside parliament building while assembly conduct of business could not allow outside work to be done inside assembly premises.” In his response, Marik said his was not ready to answer such question.

Top officials in the government are going odd with the decision taken by MPs to open restaurant inside parliament – more people suggested that restaurant would suppose to be open outside parliament building.

(ST)