The Ministerial Order on Telecom Operators’ Licenses is a right step forward
By Awuol Gabriel Arok, Juba, South Sudan
February 19, 2018 (SSB) — Hon. Minister Michael Makuei the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services in his Ministerial Order of 30/01/2018 directed to Telecom Operators has illustrated what an Independent nation can go for in search of systematic functioning and progress.
From the condominium rule to the Independent of Sudan in 1956, many agreements, contracts, and treaties have been signed some implemented and others not.
Southern Sudan as it was previously known until the Independent have gone through many evolutionary phases from Southern Sudan during the condominium era to Southern region during the Khartoum various regimes, Southern Sudan/ New Sudan during the SPLM/A bush wars to Southern Sudan after the 2005 CPA and finally to the Republic of South Sudan after the Independent of July 9, 2011.
All along many agreements, contracts and treaties were undertaken by the governments of those days but as a sovereign nation and after our independent all those contracts, agreements and treaties before the birth of South Sudan were to be rectify and their validity put under the Law and constitution docket of South Sudan.
Those who are still having interests in South Sudan affairs be it in business and bilateral relations must receive approval and credentials from the concern authority within the Government of South Sudan but oppositely instead of doing so some are still burying their heads under foreign licenses given by foreign government and in which I believed was it not for tender kindness and hospitality such arrangements could not be valid after 7 years of Independence.
My previous Identity Card of Sudan ceased the day I was given South Sudan ID and even though I still keep it for historical purpose; it could not facilitate my trip to Khartoum the Capital City of Sudan.
How do Telecom Operators feels under the warm coat of profit making businesses through foreign license? When are they going to appreciate and reward the government and people of South Sudan for their hospitality and kindness seeds of cooperation and understanding?
Having operated for ample duration of 7 years could not qualify them for non-compliance to the law of the land and one may wonder how are they paying taxes to the government under foreign licenses?.
Telecom Operators are indeed partners in the field of services delivery to the people of South Sudan which is undisputable as we all enjoy the services from their operation and present in South Sudan, but importantly they must operate within the legal framework of this country and as such they must acquire their South Sudan licenses because they are operating in the Republic of South Sudan.
The other institutions must pick up from Michael Makuei Ministerial Order and the transformations and reformations that we have been talking will be realized and South Sudan as a nation will join the rest of the nations in systematic functioning and operation.
God bless South Sudan
Awuol Gabriel Arok, a Writer and a Poet, has a Bachelor Degree in Social and Developmental Studies from the University of Juba, South Sudan, he is the author of unpublished book ‘‘The Wisdom Horn’’ and an Initiator of ‘‘Your Tribe is My Tribe’’ and ‘‘Giving Heart Foundation’’ initiatives. He can be reached via his email Address: jjmkamzeearokson@yahoo.com
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