Business authority seeks Auditor General’s intervention

The leaders are drawn from the Central Equatoria State (CES) Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture have extended a hand to the Auditor General to address the challenges facing traders in the country.

Last week, the traders in Juba threatened to close down shops citing multiple and unregulated taxations by various authorities in the city.

The group then called on the levels of government concerned to immediately address their issues or face a nationwide strike.

Following their meeting, the chairperson of Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture Robert Pita called on the traders to continue with their business as he promised to take the issue to the country’s higher authorities.

The delegation headed by chairperson CES chamber of commerce Pitia met with South Sudan’s Auditor General Steven Wondu in Juba yesterday to discuss how the auditor general can help to address some of the challenges facing the business community in the state.

“Today we had discussions with Auditor General concerning the challenges facing the traders, we met him as in his capacity auditor general a person we believe can help business people in the country from all those messes,” Mr. Pitia told The City Review.

“As you are aware, last week traders are seriously trying to shut down their shops due to some of the things which are imposed on them.”

According to the CES chamber of commerce boss, the discussion was mostly centered on over-taxation of the traders, illegal collections of money from the traders, and unnecessary fines on the traders with no clear reasons.

He said the group has already requested an appointment to meet with the CES Governor, the national minister of trade and industry including the Juba city council leaders to address the issues facing the traders in the country.

He said the issue is something urgent that needs the country’s attention and a quick solution to it before it becomes uncontrollable.

“But we are happy that the Auditor general responded to us well and he promised us to take our issues seriously and present to the high level,” he added.

He added: “Auditor general also advised us as traders to be strong and continue going with our daily business as he is trying to engage with other leaders,” Mr. Pitia narrated.