Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore on Wednesday ordered a suspension of state-level revenue collection in Torit County, directing that locally generated funds be retained and managed by county and municipal authorities to support security and development efforts in the state capital.
The directive, announced during a meeting with local officials and community leaders, effectively shifts control of revenue collection in Torit Municipality to local administrative structures.
Lobong said the decision was aimed at improving security coordination and accelerating service delivery by ensuring that funds raised within the area are reinvested locally.
“Revenue collected from Torit County and the municipality should be used locally to strengthen security and support development,” he said.
He also urged communities to take a more active role in local development, saying government alone could not meet all infrastructure needs.
“Communities should contribute to roads, schools and health facilities. Major infrastructure remains the responsibility of government, but local development requires shared effort,” he said.
Torit Mayor Eddy William Ponsiano Bolye welcomed the directive, saying it would improve service delivery and help address insecurity. He said the municipal administration would work closely with community leaders to stabilise the area.
Civil society representative Vicky Kulang also backed the decision, saying it could strengthen local responses to insecurity, particularly in areas such as Hiyala Payam.
She, however, called for transparency in the management of the funds, warning that accountability would be key to ensuring the initiative delivers results.
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