Juba County's newly appointed Caretaker Commissioner, Kalisto Lado, has vowed to take a firm stance against corruption in the county. During his reception ceremony on Friday, October 2, Commissioner Lado announced that his administration will target corruption across land management, finances, and public administration. He emphasized that his administration will strictly enforce a land tax on property owners across the county to regulate ownership and improve access to plots for ordinary citizens.
Commissioner Lado's administration plans to develop regulations requiring every individual owning land or empty plots to pay land-related revenue, either monthly or annually. This move aims to ensure that landowners contribute to the county's revenue and that the system is fair and transparent. Lado stated that the regulations will be developed in consultation with stakeholders and that the county will establish an appropriate framework for collecting revenue from landowners.
The administration's new measures specifically target individuals holding multiple properties. Commissioner Lado criticized cases where single owners control dozens of parcels while others struggle to find housing. He noted that it is not uncommon to find undeveloped land in the forest, yet many of those plots are already owned by individuals. In some cases, one person owns more than 50 plots of land, while an ordinary South Sudanese citizen does not even own a single plot.
Commissioner Lado explicitly described the hoarding of multiple plots of land as a form of corruption. He emphasized that his administration will take action against individuals who own large tracts of land, saying that this is a form of corruption that denies others access to land. Lado's administration plans to review collections from markets, sand, gravel, shops, commercial companies, and tree-cutting fees to ensure that all revenue streams are accounted for.
In addition to land reform, Commissioner Lado vowed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all local revenue streams. His administration plans to review collections from various sectors to ensure that all revenue streams are accounted for and that corruption is minimized. Lado emphasized that his administration will take a zero-tolerance approach toward corruption, warning that strict accountability will be enforced across all sectors.
Commissioner Lado's pledge to tackle corruption has been welcomed by some, who see it as a necessary step towards promoting transparency and accountability in Juba County. His administration's efforts to regulate land ownership and improve access to plots for ordinary citizens are seen as key steps towards addressing the county's housing challenges. Lado's commitment to enforcing accountability across all sectors is expected to have far-reaching implications for the county's governance.
Commissioner Lado's administration is expected to face challenges in implementing its plans, including resistance from individuals who benefit from the current system of land ownership. However, Lado's determination to tackle corruption and promote transparency is seen as a positive step towards promoting good governance in Juba County. His administration's success will depend on its ability to engage with stakeholders and develop effective regulations that promote fairness and transparency.
Key points
- Commissioner Lado vows to take a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in land management, finances, and public administration.
