Foreign traders complain of illegal taxes in Unity State
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
March 2, 2012 (BENTIU) – Foreign businessmen in South Sudan’s Unity State complain that the state’s ministry of finance and trading is failing to stop them being subjected to illegal taxes on county and state border as well as in local markets.
More than one hundred foreigners are currently trading in Unity state’s capital, Bentiu bringing goods from East Africa to South Sudanese capital Juba and then along the White Nile to Unity State. Boats are unloaded at Adok Port of Leer County but must pass through many check points demanding payments before they reach Bentui market, traders say.
Joseph Bojulus who works as a trader in Bentiu told Sudan Tribune on Friday that they blame the state government for failing to bring an end the ongoing over charging to foreigners by different taxes collectors in the town. He added that if the government wants to impose certain taxes they need to be more transparent and inform them in advance.
Bojulus said the government should inform them “who is responsible and which office is responsible for this taxation”. He also asked that they be given more notice when new taxes are introduced.
The businessman added that traders had no problem paying taxes but wanted to make sure that they are paying the right people, rather than those pretending to be members of the government.
He said that traders had raised these issues on many occasions with the Directorate of Taxation but they had failed to stop the system of illegal taxation. Bojulus also blamed the government for not prosecuting those caught steeling goods.
Traders are often charged when they transport goods between counties and over state borders, often being asked to pay twice – on each side of the border.
Unity State director of Taxation, Jenena Machar Tural, told Sudan Tribune on Friday that state authorities had banned all taxation of consumable goods, like foods and fuel. This policy, he said, was to make sure citizens dud not run out of food and other essential imported goods. The official blamed traders for the high prices of items in the market.
Tural denied his staff were involved in illegal taxation in Bentui market. He cautioned foreign traders to always ask for an official receipt before paying taxes. He recommended that traders report illegal taxmen to the government.
Corruption is one of the biggest issues facing South Sudan as it adjusts to being an independent nation. The closure of the border with North Sudan for trade, high inflation, poor infrastructure and insecurity have had the cumulative affect of raising the price of goods, especially in remote areas.
Only a small portion of South Sudan’s vast arable land is farmed, meaning that the nation relies on food imports from Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
(ST)