The Mayor of Juba City Council has pledged to reform the revenue collection system by city authorities and provide flexibility in their operation to strengthen the relationship between traders and the city council.
This was agreed upon by Mayor Michael Ladu Thomas Allah-Jabu, his two deputies, city council staff, and the traders in a meeting on Wednesday in Juba.
Earlier, the traders and water tankers’ owners had complained of harassment, hefty fines, and unnecessary closure of shops by the city council which they said is affecting their businesses.
They accused the city council’s Public Order Department of overcharging fines saying the rate schedule and collection of multiple charges are not coordinated.
Speaking during the meeting, Mayor Ladu promised to address the challenges faced by the traders that have led to the closure of some shops by the council’s Public Order Department.
“From today onwards, I’m going to be tough on every one of us who doesn’t obey policies and directives, I’m going also to grow tough because we have seen really like we are playing with ourselves for this reason we have realized there is unnecessary closure of shops, let this thing stop from today,” Ladu said.
He added, “From today, I want to increase the 72 hours for demand notes to one week. The people of revenue, public health, and people who normally deal with the closure of shops note that the closure of shops should be after the issuance of demand notes, let it be one week,” he said.
Mayor Ladu warned foreign business owners of involvement in any form of protest or demonstration against the city council authorities and advised them to use the council’s chamber of commerce to raise their grievances.
After the meeting, Said Maswa, a representative for Ugandan traders in Custom Market said the meeting was very productive and they openly discussed all matters affecting their businesses.