Economic Reform Committee Engages Eastern Equatoria Leaders, Security Agencies on Revenue Reforms in Nimule
The Ministerial High-Level Committee on Economic Reforms on Tuesday met with the leadership of Eastern Equatoria State, security agencies, and revenue-collecting institutions operating at the Nimule border to strengthen coordination and improve revenue collection.
The committee, chaired by the Minister of East African Community Affairs, Gen. Pieng Deng Kuol, discussed measures to harmonize tax collection by clearly defining the revenue mandates of the national and state governments while enhancing cooperation among agencies responsible for border management and domestic revenue mobilization.
Committee Rapporteur and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, James Mawich, said the meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between the national and state governments in support of the country’s economic reform agenda.
“The objective of the meeting is to harmonize tax collection at the border by clarifying what falls under the national government and what belongs to the state. The discussions were productive, and we agreed to cooperate and coordinate with the state government to strengthen the national economy,” Mawich said.
He added that both sides agreed to improve coordination to ensure efficient tax administration and support South Sudan’s economic recovery efforts.
Eastern Equatoria State Deputy Governor Carlo Andrew Akuwo said the meeting also reviewed the country’s economic challenges and identified practical measures to improve revenue collection through stronger collaboration among government institutions.
“We want to assure the national leadership that we will fully cooperate and coordinate so that together we can overcome the challenges affecting our nation,” Akuwo said.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to implementing the committee’s recommendations and supporting the government’s ongoing economic reform programme.
The meeting followed earlier consultations between the committee and commercial banks operating in Nimule, where discussions focused on improving tax remittances and implementing government directives aimed at easing liquidity challenges and boosting domestic revenue collection.
The committee, accompanied by the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) management led by Commissioner General Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet, is continuing its inspection and review of institutions involved in revenue collection at the Nimule border.
The engagements form part of the government’s broader economic reform programme aimed at eliminating revenue leakages, strengthening institutional coordination, and enhancing transparency and efficiency at South Sudan’s busiest border crossing.
