The Government of Central Equatoria State has agreed to form two committees to investigate alleged revenue infringement and unlawful logging activities in parts of the state.
The decision was reached during an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony.
One committee will examine reported violations of the state’s hotel revenue collection mandate, following a memo presented by the State Minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries, and Tourism, Alex Lotiyu. The memo raised concern over what the state described as continued unconstitutional interference by the National Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism in hotel revenue collection.
Governor Adil emphasized the state’s constitutional authority, saying the government remains committed to working with national institutions but will not tolerate violations of its mandate.
“The Constitution is very clear on revenue collection within the state’s jurisdiction, and this mandate must be respected,” he said.
The Council cited Article 179 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (2011), which grants state governments the right to collect revenues within their jurisdictions. Ministers noted that continued interference has affected hotel revenue collection across Central Equatoria.
Following deliberations, the Council directed the Ministers of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, and Finance, Planning and Investment to fully execute their constitutional responsibilities in managing and collecting hotel revenues.
A separate committee, chaired by the deputy governor, was also formed to address revenue encroachment and strengthen coordination between state and national institutions. The Council further urged all hotels operating in Central Equatoria to comply with state laws and recognize the state’s constitutional right to collect revenues.
In the same meeting, ministers discussed another memo presented by the State Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Forestry, Lily Kapuki Jurkin, on illegal logging activities reported in Kajo-Keji and Lainya counties.
The Council unanimously resolved to ban all illegal logging activities in Central Equatoria State with immediate effect.
Kapuki said the move is aimed at protecting the environment and preventing the loss of state resources.
“We are determined to stop illegal logging and establish the facts on the ground so that appropriate action can be taken,” she said.
To support the ban, the Council formed a committee headed by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Forestry, together with the Minister of Finance, Planning and Investment, to assess and document the volume of logs currently on the ground in the affected counties.
The State Government says findings from both committees will guide further action to safeguard revenues and natural resources in Central Equatoria.
Source: C. Equatoria to probe revenue infringement, illegal logging – Radio Tamazuj
