Traders in Juba City have decried continuous closure of shops by City Council over tax disputes.
Some of the taxes levied by Juba City council on traders include, Annual Town rate, annual rental value, Service fee, Garbage fee Signboard fee among others.
In the recent weeks, officials from City council have been involve in closing down businesses over what the termed to be failure by the owners to pay tax.
However, shop owners expressed shops closure over delay to pay tax has been a continuous problem within the town thatneed immediate interview.
Micheal Abugi a retailer in custom Market revealed that the City Council would place huge figures have comprehensive taxes that cannot be afford at one by traders.
“They will would want you to pay one million as taxes yet you can not sell goods that can bring that money and when you tell them they will close your shop like that” Abugi said
He expressed that several shops have been closed down just because they promise to pay in the next day not because traders refused to pay.
Abugi called on the National and state government to intervene in order to rescue small scale businesses from collapsing due to harsh taxation.
Ali Hassan Abdul reiterated that several frustrated traders and urge the government to review them.
“For come to my shop and you order me to pay for garbage and you do not collect garbage in my shop, and some time charge service tax what is the different” Hassan question.
He urged the City Council to reduce some of the taxes that are not reflected in services they provide to traders.
Adding his voice, the Chairperson of the Central Equatoria State (CES) Chamber of Commerce, Robert Pitia called on the Juba Council to cease unnecessary taxes on traders adding that it could discourage small businesses in the country.
He condemned the Juba City council for closing downs shops rather than checking another means to resolve tax disputes.
In respond to the outcry of the trader, Central Equatoria state Governor Augustino Jadalla Wani urged the Juba City Council and the tax collection department to cease all hostile means for tax enforcement.
The Government made a concern following a public outcry that the Juba City Council tax enforcement policies continue to discourage businesses around the towns.
Previously tax collectors from Juba Council while on supervision continue to close shops that are unable to pay taxes.
As part of his intervention to the Tax dispute between traders and the Juba City council, Governor Jadalla urged the council to initiate friendly was of tax collection rather than closing down businesses.
In according to statement extended to the media after meeting the Juba City Council officials, Governor Jadalla expressed that small business should be encourage rather being discourage through harsh tax enforcement.
“The Governor expressed strong disapproval of the closure of shops belonging to traders who unable to meet tax obligations, He issued a directive to halt such closures” the statement partly read.
He urged the Council to professionalize its operations and place service delivery at the forefront of 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 toward services.
The mayor added that the leadership stand firm to ensure that every tax collected from the public is return back inform 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 face by the council adding there is always assistant from the state and National government in addressing those challenges the council can not solve.
