Lawmakers to probe logging in Morobo, may summon governor

JUBA – Members of South Sudan’s National Transitional Assembly are considering forming a committee to investigate illegal logging in Morobo County. Lawmakers may also summon Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil for questioning.

The members of parliament recommended that Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba form a seven-member committee to probe logging and its environmental impact.

Lawmakers may issue summonses to the county commissioner and other officials.

Remijo Lasu, an MP representing Morobo, said foreigners and South Sudanese nationals are involved in mass tree cutting and forest depletion in the Payume area.

“The foreigners and South Sudanese national involved in the depletion of forest in Morobo County includes Italians, Lebanese, Ugandans and Congolese,” said MP Lasu.

Lasu said many area residents fled during the 2016 conflict but have returned as Payume became a cantonment site under the 2018 peace deal.

He alleges logging for timber and charcoal production is rampant despite a 2018 ministerial order banning the cutting of protected species.

Lasu called for Governor Adil to be summoned to explain the continued logging.

Other lawmakers expressed concern about the national scale of illegal logging.

“Our timber is being taken out of the country – so it’s not a matter of debate, we need facts to be brought to this house,” one MP said.

Mark Nyipouch stated, “the country is being looted at board daylight.” He supported the formation of an investigative committee.

Another MP argued that soldiers may be involved in logging due to poor pay and urged the government to improve soldiers’ welfare and expedite the graduation of unified forces, adding that ‘trees can live happily.’