Members of Parliament in the Lakes State Legislative Assembly have finally been sworn in, almost three months since their appointment by the president.

 The lawmakers were sworn in on Monday under the auspices of Deputy Governor Poth Madit Dut.

Addressing the MPs during the swearing-in ceremony, Madit urged state legislators to help the executive in combating communal violence and cattle rustling.

He said the state government, through the leadership of Governor Rin Tueny Mabor, has already begun to implement the goal of protecting the lives of people and property in the Lakes State.

 Madit appealed to lawmakers to support the state government’s initiative to end intercommunal violence in the Lakes State.

“This is a mission that has been successful. We now need your legislative support to cement these efforts and have a state free of all the vices that have held us down for decades,” Madit stressed.

“We are all aware that maintaining security is not the only function of a government. There is a range of other duties such as development, provision of public and social services, and provision of economic security, among other functions,” he said.

“Now that relative order has been restored in Lakes State, let us collectively shift our attention to these other necessary obligations. While these are executed by the executive, “your oversight, legislative, and representative roles are critically needed,” Madit emphasised.

The legislators’ oath-taking has marked the full formation of  Lakes State government since the country reverted to 10 states nearly two years ago,” he said.

He stated that the government is only considered complete and effective when all three branches of government are operating in accordance with the law.

“As of today, all are in place and the next thing is for the three of them to form the necessary synergy, of course [by] ensuring the independence of each in exercising their sovereign roles,” said Deputy Governor Madit.

 He said the oath ceremony was a positive step towards the implementation of the revitalised peace agreement, particularly chapter one.

The official called on the assembly leadership to immediately form municipal and county councils to strengthen governance at the local level.

Madit said having a multi-party state legislature is magnificent, but added that it depends on cooperation. He said it can be a blessing or a curse for the Lakes State and its people.

 “The blessing aspect of it is vested in how honestly you discharge your core function of representing and exercising the sovereign will of the people. As parliamentarians, I urge you to be diligent, patriotic, and mindful of the future of your own children in everything you say and do in this August House,” Madit stressed.