Western Equatoria state has established its first-ever board to oversee its Revenue Authority, a move officials say is designed to improve transparency and management of public funds in the state.
Governor James Al Taib announced the formation of the eight-member board Thursday in the state capital, Yambio, calling it a “historic moment” for institutionalizing accountability.
“We are not just changing leadership; we are ensuring that public funds are managed in the interest of our people, as the law has always demanded,” Al Taib said.
The board, whose members are drawn from across the state’s counties, is tasked with ensuring that revenue collection and expenditure comply with the law. The governor said its creation fulfills a long-overdue constitutional requirement.
The announcement was accompanied by a major leadership overhaul at the authority. The governor relieved Commissioner General James Ramadan Richard, Deputy Commissioner General Torosa Elias Toro and Director-General Monica Peter Bago of their duties.
Advocate Jackson Ezekiel Bugwa was appointed as the new commissioner general, and Helen Thomas Abdu was named director-general. The deputy commissioner general position remains vacant.
The changes were welcomed by civil society groups in a country that has struggled with corruption and economic instability.
Edmond Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, told Radio Tamazuj that the reforms were urgently needed to strengthen public trust.
“Proper systems for collecting and managing revenue will boost confidence and improve service delivery,” Yakani said. “I appreciate the governor for taking this bold step.”