Jubek to debate its own license plate

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Jubek to debate its own license plate
Ayuen Panchol | July 18, 2017 | 8:49 am
The new number plates. Photo Credit: Anyang Ngong (Facebook)

A Member of Parliament at the Jubek legislative Assembly says the
decision by the national government to enforce the implementation of
the SSD number-plates contravenes the constitution, and goes against a
resolution made by Jubek MPs.

Last year, Jubek state MPs discussed a motion presented by Honorable
Peter Duku, which challenged the move by the national Council of
Ministers to introduce the new number-plates in order to replace the
states-owned plates.

Hon. Duku who represents Kator South, argues that the current plate
bearing the SSD logo is unconstitutional.

“As far as the Constitution is concerned and as far as the revenue
collection is concerned, that is supposed to be part of the state
mandate or authority,” he told Eye Radio.

Schedule B of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, 2011, on
the powers of states says; each state has the exclusive and
legislative mandate to license vehicles, including issuance of driving
licenses and number plates.

Hon. Duku also says the state constitution, which was derived from the
transitional constitution of South Sudan, mandates every state to have
its own, as well as collect revenues from it.

According the constitution, the national and state governments have
the concurrent powers of manufacturing licenses as stipulated in
Schedule C.

Duku says these rights have been denied to the states with the
introduction of the SSD.

“We designed one number plate which will be a model for all the
states, in fact,” he added.

Hon. Duku says the states should continue to collect license fees as
required by the constitution.

He also calls for the inclusion of a state insignia alongside the SSD
number-plate, if it is to be maintained.

The national government is yet to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, the national Minister of Information has warned that
vehicles that do not bear the new SSD license plate will be impounded
and owners detained.