The governor of Central Equatoria state Augustino Jadalla Wani has 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.
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.
However, inability by some business members from paying such numerous fees may resulted to closure of such business.
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.
After meeting the Juba City Council officials, Governor Jadalla expressed that small business should be encourage rather being discourage through harsh tax enforcement.
Governor Jadalla condemned Juba City Council for closing down shops and urged them to initiate Friendly approaches for 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.” He said in a statement.
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.
The mayor expressed that despite several challenges, the council remain committed to embrace team work among the stakeholders.
“The governor of CES has stood with us and has been telling us our challenges so that we correct them.” he said
