South Sudan parliament urges govt to settle tax system

Feb 6, 2007 (JUBA) — The head of economic panel at the South Sudan parliament said government should settle its tax system because it is crucial to finance public services in the region.

The chairperson of the economic committee in the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, Professor Barri Wanji, said that the Government of Southern Sudan should finalize and implement its taxation policies to improve how its revenue generation.

Wanji told the Sudan Radio Service (SRS) that development in southern Sudan depends on tax collection, adding that taxes collected will propel the country towards “self-reliance.”

He explained that the region cannot rely on oil revenue and donor funds alone to provide services.

“Taxation by every government in the world is important because services have to be rendered to the people and you can only do this through taxation. And that is why we think taxation should be part of our revenue development.” Wanji said.

He said that the SSLA economic committee, in conjunction with the Finance Ministry, is working on a standardized tax system which will soon be implemented in southern Sudan.

Wanji said the government will also put in place a process for how taxes will be collected.

(SRS)