Committee of Information Narrates Assembly Achievements, Fails to Justify Media Bill Delay

JUBA – The committee of information, telecommunication & culture in the National Legislative Assembly yesterday during a press conference narrated the achievements of the parliament during its second sessions just a day after it broke for two month recess. The chairperson of information, telecommunication and culture in the assembly Joy Kwaje told the members of the press that parliament had made 45 resolutions and passed eleven 11 laws during its second session which started on 11th of June this year up to 3rd of September 2012 and besides this the assembly have also approved a number of commissions before its departure for recess. However the chairperson could not state clearly why there was a big delay in media bill debate and passing by the Assembly despite its being presented to the assembly few months ago by the Ministry of Justice. She said the bills need some inputs and her committee had organized workshops concerning the bills and also they are looking forwards to hold public hearing regarding the bills for more inputs. Among the bills recently passed into law by the parliament are appropriation Act, taxation Amendment Act, Refugee, the Geneva convention Act, general education, foreign Exchange business act, banking act, Anti-money laundering & counter Terrorist financing act and peace & reconciliation commission. The chairperson also elaborated on the other bills which are in the possession of parliament and they include media authority bill, Broadcasting corporation bill, right of access to information bill, workers trade union federation bills and pension fund bill and many others. On Monday speaker of the national legislative assembly argues members of parliament while on recess to campaign and educated the public on how to fasten the small medium enterprises businesses to boost the private sector in south Sudan. He said there is a need to encourage people to step up in the area of private sector since it is the back born of any employment in the country. Kwaje while narrating on the achievements of the parliament also talked about the challenges facing the assembly, she said one of the challenges is the austerity measures which had hinder many activities in the parliament. However she said the country will look at others of sustaining its self