The governor of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State, Gen. Alfred Futuyo on Friday last week announced the suspension of revenue collection in the state for two weeks.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Governor Futuyo said the move aimed at reorganizing revenue collection to ensure citizens benefit.
“We will work to reorganize the collection of revenue in a good way so that we provide services to the people of Western Equatoria. Misappropriation of public funds is not good,” he stressed.
Futuyo explained that the suspension affects the collection of taxes levied on imported goods and all taxes imposed on locally-produced goods.
Natali Leon Monoko, a dealer in construction materials in Yambio market, welcomed the tax suspension and vowed to reduce prices. He, however, said traders still find it hard to access hard currencies.
“The challenge we are facing now is that we don’t have access to the hard currency at affordable prices. The price of the US dollar is very expensive here in the state. So if the traders have access to the hard currency, the current prices of goods will definitely drop in the market,” he explained.
Natalia Arkangelo Gabriel, a pharmacist in Yambio, urged the state government to reduce taxes and pay security personnel to protect businesses in the area.
Meanwhile, Cecilia Abau, a trader selling cassava welcomed the recent suspension of taxes.
“I am sure the decision will help us in the market because many traders here are supporting their families. We thank the governor for taking such decision,” she said.
Separately, Governor Futuyo removed the secretaries-general of the defunct Amadi, Maridi, Tambura and Gbudue states and appointed Thomas Yanga as the new secretary-general of Western Equatoria State.