By Taban Gabriel
King News 9th September 2024 – On Monday, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) overwhelmingly voted to pass the amended finance bill of 2024 into law. The decision marks a significant step in shaping the country’s fiscal policies for the coming year.
The 390 TNLA Members of Parliament made the quorum for the session, during which the second reading of the bill was presented by the Deputy Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Susan Thomas. After the presentation, the bill was passed through the third and fourth readings, followed by its final reading. With unanimous approval, the bill was successfully enacted into law.
“Honourable members, we are at the third reading. If anybody has any concerns about addition and subtraction at this stage, we are looking at the details,” Hon. Speaker of Parliament Jemma Nunu Kumba urged Members of the Assembly.
“Hon. Speaker, the bill has been passed to third and fourth reading, and the members are not willing to talk about the bill. If anybody has anything about the general principle, please rise and talk, but if you don’t want to talk, what do you expect us to do? I am not even raising a motion. We passed the bill at this stage now,” Stephen Ajongo said, preceded by a wild round of applause and ululations from the majority of members of the August House.
“I officially second the motion that we terminate the debate, and this bill has already passed by the house,” said Hon. Stephen
The Speaker of the TNLA then requested the Members of Parliament to formally confirm their decision.
“So, there is a motion that we terminate the debate at the third reading and pass the fourth and final. I want a big yes because I don’t want us to go from here divided,” the speaker asks as she seeks the consent of lawmakers to pass the bill.
Although the bill was overwhelmingly passed by the majority in the House, a few dissenting voices emerged from dissatisfied lawmakers at the last moment. Their concerns, though not numerous, highlighted differing opinions on the bill’s readiness for approval.
Transitional National Legislative Assembly while in session
Two of these lawmakers, who were given the opportunity to express their views, argued that more time should be allowed for a thorough review of the bill. They believed that a longer review period would provide a chance to address any overlooked issues and improve the bill’s overall effectiveness.
“We are representing a country, the way people are passing things here is not a play. Madam Speaker, I suggest you should reverse this bill to the second reading stage. This is a country, it’s not good to pass things the way we are doing it,” Hon. Peter Lomude Francis cautioned
“Madam Speaker, this is a very sensitive bill, and when you look at the document that has been coming from the committee of Finance and Economic Planning, there is a trend where we are pushed up to almost launch time, then we always do things in a hurry such that we go for lunch. This issue is very sensitive. You can’t give a critical analysis of a document that you just got an hour or two hours ago,” argued Hon. Mayen Deng Alier
Hon. Speaker Nunu urged those dissatisfied with the passing of the Finance Bill to engage with the finance committee to resolve their concerns. He emphasized the importance of addressing grievances through constructive dialogue.
The amended Finance Bill 2024 is one of many legislative pieces recently finalized by the South Sudan Constitution Review Commission. The cabinet has already approved it and awaits the parliament’s decision.