(JUBA) – Governor Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel of Central Equatoria State on Friday convened a high level one day refresher workshop focused on improving coordination among the State’s revenuegenerating bodies. The session, held in Juba, aimed to strengthen intra-governmental linkages and address longstanding challenges in tax and revenue administration.
The workshop was chaired by Governor Mujung and brought together a broad group of officials, including the State Economic Advisor, cabinet ministers, heads of key revenue institutions, and senior staff from Juba County and Juba City Council.
The discussions were moderated by legal experts Justice Ajonye Perpetua and Counsel Wani Mathias, with participants reviewing practical and legal challenges affecting revenue collection and governance across the State.
Governor Mujung, in his opening address, highlighted the pressing need for government officials to remain informed and coordinated on existing policies. He pointed out persistent overlaps between National and State responsibilities, particularly in taxation.
“We have experienced overlapping roles and responsibilities between the National and State governments, particularly in matters of tax collection,” the Governor said. “A committee has been formed to develop workable solutions and to examine the legal and logical position of the State.”
He stressed that input from legal experts and experienced public servants would help resolve issues arising from inconsistent policy frameworks and inter agency competition over revenue.
The Governor’s comments come at a time when many States in South Sudan face disputes over who has the mandate to collect certain taxes, a challenge that has contributed to inefficiencies and reduced public trust.
State Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Hon. Lupai Satimon, also addressed the gathering. He explained that the workshop was a timely effort to strengthen the work of a dedicated committee already tasked with reviewing inter-governmental linkages.
“This initiative is meant to ensure the committee operates with proper guidance and focus. We aim to harmonise revenue frameworks within the State and between levels of government,” said Hon. Satimon.
The broader goal of the workshop was to promote effective service delivery by reducing revenue leakages and ensuring a clear legal basis for each institution’s role. Participants discussed proposals for improving internal communication and ensuring transparency in tax collection.
In the current fiscal climate, where government institutions rely heavily on internally generated revenue, coordination among agencies is considered vital. A common concern is the duplication of taxes and lack of clarity on legal mandates, especially in urban areas like Juba where multiple institutions operate within the same jurisdictions.
While the workshop did not announce immediate policy changes, it reaffirmed the commitment of Central Equatoria’s leadership to improve fiscal governance and streamline institutional roles.
