A parliamentary committee to investigate the circumstances under which more than 200 people were killed in a fuel tanker explosion in Maridi two weeks ago has been formed.

MPs have also agreed to contribute 200 pounds each to assist victims who are still nursing their injuries at the Juba Teaching Hospital.

The motion was raised by the area MP, Honorable Justin Joseph Marona, who said the tragedy was a national emergency.

Other MPs supported the motion and proposed a contribution of 5% of their salaries for helping the victims.

Hon Kom Kom Geng of Northern Bahr al Ghazal State proposed the contribution.

“This Assembly is the Assembly of the people, and I think if such a motion has been raised in this house and we are seeing our people contributing for the incident, I want my colleague, the Chief Whip, and the leadership of the Assembly to contribute 5 % of our salaries,” Hon Geng said.

After a lengthy discussion, the assembly resolved that 200 pounds will be deducted from the salary of this month for each member.

There are more than 300 members in the national assembly, but some of them have joined the SPLM in Opposition.