By Yiep Joseph
Governor of Central Equatoria State (CES), Augustino Jadalla Wani, has urged Juba City Council and tax collection department to cease all hostile means of tax enforcement.
This directive follows public concern that the Juba City Council’s tax enforcement policies are discouraging businesses within the city.
Previously, tax collectors from the Juba Council, during supervision, have been closing shops unable to pay taxes.
In several occasions, Chairperson of the Central Equatoria State (CES) Chamber of Commerce, Robert Pitia, called on Juba Council to cease this practice, stating that it could discourage small businesses in the country.
Some of the taxes levied by the Juba City Council on traders include the Annual Town Rate, Annual Rental Value, Service Fee, Garbage Fee, and Signboard Fee, among others. However, the inability of some business owners to pay these numerous fees has resulted in the closure of their businesses.
As part of his intervention in the tax dispute between traders and the Juba City Council, Governor Jadalla urged the council to initiate friendly methods of tax collection rather than closing down businesses.
According to a statement extended to the media after a meeting with Juba City Council officials, Governor Jadalla emphasized that small businesses should be encouraged rather than discouraged through harsh tax enforcement.
Governor Jadalla condemned the Juba City Council for closing down shops and urged them to adopt friendly approaches to tax enforcement.
“The Governor expressed strong disapproval of the closure of shops belonging to traders unable to meet their tax obligations. He issued a directive to halt such closures,” the statement partly read.
He urged the Council to professionalize its operations and prioritize service delivery in its agenda.
Jadalla directed that tax revenues should be visibly reinvested in public services, reinforcing the principle that taxation should directly benefit citizens.
On his part, Johnson Swaka, the Mayor of Juba City Council, expressed commitment to services.
The Mayor added that the leadership stands firm in ensuring that every tax collected from the public is returned in the form of services.
“We collect money from the citizens, and that money always goes back to the public through services,” Swaka said.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by the council, adding that there is always assistance from the state and national government in addressing those challenges that the council cannot solve alone.
The Mayor expressed that despite several challenges, the council remains committed to embracing teamwork among stakeholders.
“The Governor of CES has stood with us and has been highlighting our challenges so that we can correct them,” he said.
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