South Sudan’s Torit State government on Wednesday banned illegal logging in the state.
The order number 1/2019 was made public by the State Revenue Authority.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Torit state commissioner for revenue authority Charles Onen Lokwaruk says the order will enhance revenue collection and protection of state resources.
“As state revenue authority we are trying to use our taxation policy not only to raise or mobilize revenues for the government but also control consumption or use of certain goods that we feel should be protected,” Onen said.
According to Onen, the state government loses more than 30 million South Sudanese Pounds monthly due to unregulated forest logging.
“We want to take charge of managing the revenue of the state in a way that we are going to minimize leakages finance revenue loss,” he adds.
He warned any person or company found breaching the order without proper documentation will be arrested and prosecuted in a court of law.
The order seen by Radio Tamazuj stipulates that the penalty include not less than 3-month imprisonment, depending on the court’s decision and the magnitude of the offense.