The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Monday unanimously passed the Tourism Bill 2024 after its third reading stage after it was presented by the joint committees on Wildlife Conservation and Tourism and Legislation and Justice.
The bill which was tabled in the second reading stage last year (2023), provides for conformity with the constitutional, legal, and political guiding principles, objectives, and ideals enshrined in the 2018 peace agreement and the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011.
The bill permits the director general of wildlife to issue permits for entry and waive fees for school children, students, state officials, and other visitors.
It also prohibits certain activities within national parks, game reserves, and protected areas and defines persons permitted to enter any national park, game reserve, game-controlled areas, or sanctuary for scientific or recreational purposes and will regulate the areas for the wildlife.
When asked by journalists why the parliament passed the bill without discussions, Oliver Mori, the TNLA’s spokesperson, said members read the document and understood its content.
“It is not that the members are not interested but they had copies of the third reading stage with them. So, they read it thoroughly well and when it was tabled by the chair, the members concurred with the report that they had read and they thought there was no need because it was discussed in the first and second reading stages with an explanation even from the minister concerned” he explained. “Some of the members were not able to read the bills which were distributed to them since last year. So, the majority of the members read it. Out of the 350 members present for the quorum, only two people did not spare their time to read the bill. So, can the 348 be bogged down because of two members?”
Mori added: “And as of today, this bill has been passed and it will be forwarded to the Office of the President to sign it and it becomes law in the Republic of South Sudan.”
He said the bill has ten chapters that deal with all matters related to tourism in the Republic of South Sudan.
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