The Acting Speaker of the Lakes State Legislative Assembly, Ayen Meen Ador, has summoned the Minister of Local Government, Chol Kuot Manhom, to appear on Monday and provide explanations regarding the prevalent insecurity and the ongoing household tax collection of 5,000 South Sudanese Pounds (5,000 SSP) in rural villages
The summons, as per the stipulations of Article 77 of Lakes State Transitional Constitution 2011, directs the minister to address specific concerns raised by the assembly. These concerns encompass the escalating insecurity incidents throughout the state, ongoing household tax collection, and any other security-related matters.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Acting Speaker Ayen Meen Ador emphasized the need for the minister to provide clarity, stating, “In accordance with Article 77 of Lakes State Transitional Constitution 2011, you are hereby requested by the assembly to give clarification on the following in your ministry; insecurity across the State (ambushes along the highway, household tax which is ongoing in the state, and any other security matters.”
The issue of the household tax has been a source of contention since its inception in 2011. Originally, under the Taxation Act passed by the state assembly, rural villages were expected to contribute 500 SSP for development purposes. However, concerns have arisen as no significant infrastructure developments such as roads, hospitals, schools, or water boreholes have been realized in these rural areas.
Zachariah Puorich Matuong, the spokesperson of Lakes State Revitalize Transitional Legislative Assembly, explained the assembly’s mandate under Article 77 of Lakes State Transitional Constitution 2011 to request ministerial explanations.
“The household tax, which was enacted in the Taxation Act in 2011, was not amended, and therefore it was a different figure of 500 SSP. So, in this matter, the August House has decided to call the minister to come and clarify whether it was passed by the state council of ministers,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for transparency, saying, “We have not yet received the official documents in this August House. So, we need the minister to come and clarify to August House what the constraints to these increments are and where it was passed. This is what we needed from the minister to come and clarify because we are not having any background information about the new tax increases.”
Puorich pointed to escalating insecurity along the state’s highways, underscoring the urgency of the minister’s appearance.
An ambush along the highway resulted in the injury of two soldiers, prompting concerns among legislators. Despite the state assembly passing two crucial legislations, namely the Customary Law and the Public Order Law, which restrict civilian possession of arms, security incidents continue to occur.
Tha lawmaker recounted a recent incident where the chairperson and deputy chairperson of Lakes State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission were killed, further illustrating the pressing need for the minister to clarify the security situation.
Additionally, Puorich highlighted the irregular process by which the tax increase was implemented, noting that the bill should have been tabled before parliament after passing a resolution of the state council of ministers. Instead, it was implemented at the grassroots level without being presented to the August House.
He concluded, “This is why we want the minister to come and clarify these issues to legislators. In fact, in the previous session of the August House, we summoned other ministers, but various constraints prevented them from appearing. This is not a committee summon but a summon to appear before the whole August House.”