Traders in Juba have threatened to shut their stores in order to protest “excessive taxes” on their wares. They claim that high and numerous taxes are causing their companies to fail.
“The taxes are getting excessive, the penalties are becoming excessive, and all of these [government] organizations are in the market,” said Robert Pitia, Chairman of the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, during a news conference on Thursday.
In a detailed report by Radio Tamazuj seen by NCMP, Pitia went on to say that the merchants are upset and may opt to shut their shops if a solution is not found quickly. “The traders’ only choice now is to shut the market, but we urged them to wait.” “As a result, we’re delivering this notice so that the government can solve the problem,” Pitia said.
Meanwhile, Everdeen Agino, a representative of Kenyan merchants in Juba, said that the high weight of various tariffs placed on their goods could no longer be tolerated.
“These guys from the City Council simply show up, and if they notice you’re a foreigner, they double your license.” And since Covid-19 began, all of these companies have closed, and the money we get today cannot even cover our rent,” she said.
“In the market, everyone is selling the way he or she wants since there is no direction from the government,” said Mr. Thomas, a spokesman of Ugandan merchants in Juba. As a result, we urge that the government lead the merchants.”
Charles Ibrahim, Chairman of the Konyo-Konya Market Chamber of Commerce, criticized the Juba City Council for the exorbitant and numerous levies imposed by government agencies on their companies.
“Because of the many taxes placed on us, the City Council is to blame for increasing commodity prices on the market.” People should be aware that companies owned by South Sudanese are failing, which affects all of us,” he added.
According to the report, Juba City Council officials could not be contacted for comment immediately.
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