By William Madouk
Council of States has approved a budget for the procurement of gowns for the Speaker, Clerk, Legal Advisor, and other legislative staff.
The budget proposal was presented by Isaac Sumu, a member of the ad hoc committee responsible for the Black Rod, a senior ceremonial position in the legislature.
“Allow me to introduce the aforesaid budget related to this report as an annex so that the report is complete and eventually analyzed and approved by the August House. Therefore, I am urging the plenary to consider passing this report in totality,” said Sumu.
According to the committee, the budget includes 16 gowns equivalent to $6,800 and suit uniforms for the protocol staff, Sergeant-at-Arms, hall attendants, and media personnel, costing $13,800.
Sumu further noted that the committee is still working on designing the Black Rod, which may take some time to finalize.
After a thorough deliberation, the lawmakers approved the budget with some amendments, particularly regarding the design of the Black Rod.
This came despite protests from a few Members of Parliament who felt the budget should be referred back for further consideration.
Announcing the results, the Speaker, Deng Deng Akoon, said the House had passed the budget with amendments and urged the committee to finalize the process as soon as possible before presenting it to the Ministry of Finance.
The Black Rod is a senior ceremonial position in the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, and its holder participates in major events.
The title “Black Rod” comes from the ebony staff, topped with a golden lion, carried by the office holder. The earliest known reference to “the Usher to the Order of the Garter” dates back to 1361.