Memoscar Lasuba, Author at Eye Radio

Vote to impeach three CES Ministers adjourned indefinitely

Posted on November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Central Equatoria legislature on Wednesday adjourned for the second time sitting to cast a vote of no-confidence against the three state ministers accused of corruption until further notice.

They include the state Ministers of Cabinet Affairs, Finance and Housing, Land, and Public Utilities

The legislature accused Godwill Wayi, Viana Kakuli, and Fred Laku Raymond of exchanging a public plot with five Toyota Landcruisers worth 100,000 US dollars.

According to a fact-finding committee that moved the motion for a vote of no-confidence, it found out that the officials did not meet due legal processes for the disposal of government property.

It established that the ministers exchanged plot number 60 Block 13 with SHI Petroleum Services for 25 years since 2019, and the Investment department was not involved in the process.

However, some members of parliament differed with the move to cast votes of no-confidence after the Speaker suggested a secret ballot.

As a result, discontented MPs boycotted the siting, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the session indefinitely.

The MPs were recalled to resume the motion on Wednesday, but the Speaker adjourned the session yet again.

“The quorum was not enough. That’s why the siting has been adjourned until further notice,” said Morris Andrea, the Deputy Chairperson for Information, Culture Youth, and Sport at the state legislature.

‘Worldwide demand necessitates cut in funding to S.Sudan’- J. Adler

Posted on November 8, 2023November 9, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The U.S. Ambassador in Juba has warned of a reduction in the humanitarian funding to South Sudan in this fiscal year, citing worldwide demand for his country’s funds to the sector.

As such, Michael J. Adler is calling on the transitional government to increase its own use of revenue to support the humanitarian response.

“While we remain deeply committed, the worldwide demand for our humanitarian fund will necessitate significant budget reduction here in South Sudan starting this fiscal year.

“In that context, we call for the transitional government to increase its own use of revenue to support humanitarian response and to reduce the cost and risks of aid delivery,” Adler said in an event marking IOM’s 10th Anniversary of the Rapid Response Fund in South Sudan Wednesday.

In addition, he said: This includes the removal of road and revenue checkpoints and reducing the bureaucratic impediments and illicit fees imposed on international and national non-governmental organizations.

This, the US diplomate said will reduce taxes on the humanitarian agencies seeking to help the suffering South Sudanese people.

According to Adler; “Only the transitional government can address the drivers of conflict, poverty, and humanitarian crisis and we ask for immediate action to do so.”

The 10-year celebration has been marked under the theme: “Harnessing the Localization agenda for rapid humanitarian response in South Sudan.

President Kiir returns from Egypt

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

President Salva Kiir has returned to Juba after a working visit to Egypt where he met with his counterpart, Abdel Fathah El Sisi.

The head of state arrived in Juba yesterday

His office cited the Minister of Presidential Affairs Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin as saying while in Cairo, President Kiir and his Egyptian counterpart discussed joint cooperation agreements that would serve the interests of the two countries.

It also stated that the meeting touched on the crisis in Sudan and called for regional peace and stability.

The President was received by the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and other senior government officials.

CES Speaker adjourns Ministers impeachment as lawmakers protest secret ballot

Posted on November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Central Equatoria legislature has adjourned to next week, 15/11/2023 a vote of no confidence against three state ministers accused of corruption after some members boycotted the sitting on Tuesday.

The legislature has accused the Ministers of Cabinet Affairs, Finance, and of Housing, Land, and Public Utilities of exchanging a public plot with Five Toyota Landcruisers worth 100,00 US dollars.

Yesterday, the parliament’s fact-finding committee moved a motion for a vote of no-confidence against Viania Kakuil, Godwil Wayi, and Fred Laku Raymond respectively.

According to the committee, it found out that the officials did not meet due legal processes for the disposal of government property.

It established that the ministers exchanged plot number 60 Block 13 to SHI Petroleum Services for 25 years since 2019 and the Investment department was not involved in the process.

However, some members of parliament differed with the move for a vote of no-confidence after the Speaker suggested a secret ballot.

As a result, discontented MPs boycotted the siting, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the session to next week.

Morris Andrea who is the Deputy Chairperson for information, Culture Youth, and Sport at the legislature explains.

“The adjournment of the sitting is by law because the attendance was going to be subjected to voting, but some of the members when the sitting was adjourned for 10 minutes, did not come back.

“So that’s why it was adjourned,” he said.

On his, Khamis Kwaje, the Secretary for the Opposition Caucus says, the speakers’ suggestion for a secret ballot led to the division of the house.

“The deliberation went well but of course, has been a contentious issue and the house got divided, and based on the ruling, regulations number 90,

The August was given ten {10} minutes adjournment, and by the time the August house was to return, most of the members decided to boycott the meeting.

“Due to the sensitivity of the matter, the sitting got adjourned until Wednesday “Next-week 15^th-Nov, 2023” but the adjournment happened after the motion was adopted.

No parent, teacher should take school girl’s cash transfer, warns GESS

Posted on November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The team leader of the Girls’ Education South Sudan is advising parents and teachers to ensure school girls receive their cash transfers safely and transparently.

On Monday, over 400,000 schoolgirls started receiving cash transfers across the country.

According to the program, school girls in primary 8, and senior 4 will receive 32,000 pounds each, while girls in primary 5, 6, 7, and senior 1, 2, and 3 will receive 25,600 pounds each.

Akuja de Garang, the project team leader called on them to support the school girls as they start receiving their yearly cash transfers.

Girls’s Education South Sudan cash transfers are direct payments to girls who are regularly attending school in different classes mainly in the primary.

It aims to address the high rate of schoolgirl dropouts particularly those transitioning from Primary to Secondary school.

The program is also to help improve girls’ access to quality education and to boost social inclusion.

“Let’s make sure that our girls are safe during this process as we have communicated, this is important for the benefit of our country.

“Let’s look at the bigger picture, we might say you want to take five pounds or ten pounds from what they have,

“But these five or ten pounds have a huge impact on the future of this young lady who is the future of South Sudan. So please let’s protect them and make sure they receive the money in full and safely, ” said De Garang while speaking on Eye Radio’s Dawn show on Wednesday.

CES reveals alarming road accidents data in ten months

Posted on November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

Central Equatoria’s Directorate of Traffic Police has documented 2,714 road accidents in the past ten months, indicating a more than 400 increase in the incidents compared to 2,320 in the same period last year.

This was revealed at the launch of a one-week road safety awareness workshop in Juba.

“They were as follows; in 2022 we registered about 2320 road accidents and in 2023 we registered about 2714 in the same period from January to October.

“There is an increase in traffic accidents, and most of these accidents are due to recklessness and high speed, as well as overtaking by motorcycle drivers,” said Major General, Zacharia Michael Taban, the Director of Traffic Central Equatoria,

A WHO 2020 data indicated that traffic accident deaths in South Sudan had reached 4,063 or 4.84% of total deaths.

According to Major General Zacharia, drunk driving is the leading cause of road accidents in the state.

He says the workshop which is the first since the independence of South Sudan is to implement the Road Safety week.

“This is the first time in the history of South Sudan that we have implemented a traffic safety week, but it will not be the last.

“We will implement this awareness annually here in Central Equatoria State in cooperation with UN agencies and other organizations such as the South Sudan Red Cross Committee.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol is the reason for the increase in traffic accidents and most of these accidents involve motorcycle drivers.

The week-long event is being held under the theme; ‘Road Safety Begins with Me’ is organized by the Directorate of Road Traffic Police in Central Equatoria state with support from the South Sudan Red Cross Committee.

Road Safety Week is celebrated during the third week of November each year.

It is often a nationwide campaign that focuses on raising awareness about road safety issues, including the prevention of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the road.

It emphasizes the importance of responsible driving, pedestrian safety, and the need for improved road infrastructure.

Bor FMs ordered to seek talk-shows approval, UJOSS denounces move

Posted on November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Union of Journalists in Jonglei state has expressed concerns about the order by the state Ministry of Information banning public announcements and radio talks without its approval.

In a Ministerial order issued on 4^th Nov 2023, the Director General of the Ministry urged all local radio stations and microphone announcers to seek approval before announcing any information or program for public consumption.

The ministry says it issued the directive after receiving complaints from listeners that public announcements and radio talk shows usually used one language.

The Ministry stated that the use of one language in broadcasting is against the rights of the people to have equal access to information.

“Based on the above-cited complaints, we in the Ministry, the Media Regulator in the state would like to categorically make it clear that such actions are against the rights of our people to have equal access to information,” the statement partially read.

It further said, “The unity of our people starts from equal treatment hence, I urge your esteemed institutions to work for the interest of our people by evenly feeding them with reliable information that can contribute to reducing the level of illiteracy and enhance a peaceful and prosperous coexistence among our communities.”

The State Ministry of Information didn’t indicate which language was being used for the public announcements and radio talk shows.

Responding to the directives, the state Union of Journalists says the order is unlawful and creates a chilling effect on freedom of speech, undermining the crucial role that independent media plays in holding power holders to account.

It says the decision confers control over radio stations and will impede their ability to operate independently and objectively.

UJOSS calls on the Jonglei State Ministry of Information to immediately rescind the order and uphold the principles of press freedom and freedom of expression.

They urge the government to engage in a constructive dialogue with media organizations, journalists, and other stakeholders to develop regulations that enable a free and responsible media environment.

CES lawmakers to receive medical allowances

Posted on November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Speaker of Central Equatoria State Parliament has told the August House he received some money in medical allowances for the lawmakers, that is in addition to SSP 1 million each is to receive for recess.

Peter Wani revealed this during a session in Juba on Monday.

The fund is availed following concerns raised by the Members of Parliament regarding the delays in receiving their medical allowances and salary arrears.

According to reports, the 100-member parliament is expected to receive $30,000 as medical allowances with each expected to receive 300 dollars.

Speaking during Monday’s extraordinary sitting, Wani said the funds will be distributed once the Assembly Business Committee decides on Tuesday.

“I received this money last Friday, and I have decided that I will sit with members of ABC to see what we can do about this.

‘Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will have an extraordinary sitting of the ABC and this will be one of the agendas to be discussed with the ABC, then officially we will come to you the honorable members, and tell you what we want to do as the leadership of this parliament,” he announced.

According to him, the money has come at a time when lawmakers have suffered from health problems during the recent period.

MP appeals for relief aid to flood-displaced Yei residents

Posted on November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

A member of the national parliament representing Yei River County is appealing for immediate humanitarian assistance for flood-affected people in the area.

Lawmaker Peter Lomodi told reporters at the Freedom Hall Premises in Juba Monday that hundreds of houses were destroyed, and animals were washed away.

” Yesterday (Monday), 5 November heavy downpours affected a number of areas in Yei County particularly in Yei town and this has led to the displacement of civilians or residents in some areas in Yei, adding to all existing catastrophe humanitarian situations in the area, said

The heavy downpour that lasted for three consecutive days until Sunday devasted parts of the area.

Five people were reported missing after they were washed away by flash floods.

MP Lomodi said the locals are now in dire need of relief assistance to overcome the aftermath of the severe weather conditions.

He called upon both local and international organizations to come forward and provide much-needed support to the local community.

“I would like to seize this opportunity to make a humanitarian appeal that the partners should come to the rescue of the people especially those who were displaced by the heavy downpour.”

Bishop Paride Taban’s remains arrive Juba Tuesday

Posted on November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 by Memoscar Lasuba

The body of late Emeritus Bishop Paride Taban arrived in Juba on Tuesday morning.

In a live video stream, the Bishop’s Body was received by congregants at 8:00 a.m.

The Retired Bishop Paride Taban died on 1st November in Nairobi, Kenya.

In a WhatsApp communication, the executive board of the organizing committee said, the Bishop’s body will be taken to St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Kator where the requiem mass will be conducted at 2:00 PM.

It will be taken to his home area of Nimule on Wednesday and later to Torit where he will be laid to rest at the St. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral.

Obituary

Paride Taban was a South Sudanese prelate of the Catholic Church and was the first leader of the Sudan Council of Churches, which was founded in February 1990.

He was Auxiliary Bishop of Juba from 28 January 1980 to 2 July 1983 and served as Bishop of Torit from 1983 to 2004.

Paride Taban was the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Torit in what was then Sudan from 1983 until 2004.

In 1989, when the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) overtook Torit, he was arrested with three other Catholic priests by the SPLA. Until 1990 he and Nathanael Garang were the only two Bishops active in areas held by the SPLA.

After his retirement from the diocese, he led an effort to make peace in South Sudan real by setting up the Kuron Peace Village, established in 2005. Before becoming bishop of Torit, Taban had been auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Juba and the titular bishop of Tadamata from 1980 to 1983.

He was ordained on 24 May 1964 and consecrated a Bishop on 4 May 1980 in Kinshasa by Pope John Paul II.^[8]

Taban was sent to Rwanda in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide for reconciliation efforts.

Bishop Paride received numerous awards including the Sergio Vieira de Mello Peace Prize awarded by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2013 for his work at the Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron.

He also received the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation awarded by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in 2017 for co-founding the ecumenical New Sudan Council of Churches, building Kuron Peace Village, and chairing the mediation initiative between the Government of South Sudan and COBRA Faction of the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army led by David Yau Yau, which produced a successful peace agreement on 6 January 2014.

In December 2016, Taban was appointed by President Salva Kiir as a co-chair of the steering committee of National Dialogue.