W. Equatoria inaugurates new taxation office

December 18, 2009 (JUBA) – Authorities in Western Equatoria have opened a New Taxation office 7 miles outside Yambio town, the State capital on the way to Maridi.

The opening comes as the State government steps efforts to prevent and curb tax defaulters in the state. The revenue office will operate under the State Ministry of Finance and Industry.

The Deputy Governor of WES, Col Joseph Ngere Paciko presided over the inauguration ceremony assisted by the State Minister of Finance Charles Abdu Ngamunde.

Present at the occasion were, the State Minister of Agriculture Professor Mathew Udo, the Secretary General for the State Government, Alfred Riruyo, Advisor for economic affairs John Elisa, Yambio County Commissioner David Billy and Chambers of Commerce Chairman Hezekiah Philip.

The taxation and commerce offices were opened at Bazungua Sub County.

Government officials say this “will ease the control of appropriate data records on imported and exported goods in the state and to minimize evasion of taxes bringing strategic statistics of quarterly and annually revenue collection to the state treasury which will ensure accountability, however this point is neither for corruption nor torturing of civilians by security forces in the state.”

The authorities target virgin and potential fertile lands for wide growing of plants which will eventually become the main revenue for the state.

Mohogany (woods) are found in all the ten counties of WES, Honey of Super Quality in Amadi, Yere and Kizi payam in Mvolo County, Mambe Junction, Maridi County all produce Honey, Naandi, with Andari where coffee and beans are grown too. Most these products have been illegally sold which could have been source of income to the State liberating the state from depending on the Oil Money.

Speaking at the occasion, Col Joseph Ngere extended his appreciation to the chief of Bazungua Mr. Mathew Nvuru for the efforts exerted to allow the establishment of State Directorate of Taxation and Commerce to operate in the area.

Col Ngere pointed out that, “after his return from Bentiu where he attended the Chiefs’ Forum there have been rapid developmental actions by all the Chiefs of WES.” Col Ngere asserted that, “this is part of SPLM Vision to take the town to the Villages and soon he will send surveyors to the area to demarcate residential and business plots, Places for Police posts, and even Cemetery.”

On behalf of the Governor Col Ngere promised 1 borehole to the area and also in the future to come mobile network antenna will be erected in the area for easy communication.

The State Minister of Finance Abdu Ngamude on Thursday briefed citizens on the revenue collection from the state since the opening of the department of taxation office in Bazungua.

He said that, “all the revenues collected from the state are used for the development of the state as the Decentralization system of GOSS spells out that each state should use the revenue for the top up of developmental activities.”

“Taxation is not against traders since goods are taxed within the limits of clearance in the border,” explained.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Animal Resources Professor Mathew Udo called on the entire Citizens of WES to get registered before engaging in Timber Business in order to acquire better documents for effective business.

Mathew disclosed that, “Cutting of trees illegally is now prohibited by the Ministry so all business men who have Saw mill Machines should get them registered in the State to enable them operate with out any hindrance.”

Udo revealed that, “WES has so many trees which could generate income to the State if well and effectively used in proper manner by the daughters and sons of WES.”

He called upon the State Ministry of Finance to open also taxation office at Namaiku in Nzara County and Boo Bridge to stop smuggling of timbers from the State.

(ST)