By Alan Clement
Jonglei State Governor, Dr. Riek Gai Kok, has directed the newly appointed Revenue Commissioner to prioritize reforms to end fragmented and uncoordinated revenue collection across government institutions.
According to the State’s Press Unit, Governor Riek issued the directive during the official swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed revenue commissioner on Friday held at the Jonglei State Secretariat.
In a statement, Governor Riek underscored the need for professionalism, fiscal discipline, and institutional unity in revenue management, describing it as the backbone of the state’s budget and service delivery.
“The budget begins with revenue. We must act as one government and put an end to the fragmented and random collection of revenue from various institutions,” Governor Riek said in a statement.
The governor’s remarks signal a broader push for centralized and transparent revenue administration, a move that could set precedent for other states grappling with inefficiencies and corruption in public finance.
In the statement, Riek stressed that the appointment of Wal Makuei followed consultations with key stakeholders thus reflecting the administration’s commitment to building a transparent and accountable revenue system.
Governor Riek further urged the new commissioner to uphold the principles of professionalism, integrity, and people-centered leadership, aligning with the state’s “People’s First Agenda.”
“You must deliver on our mantra of the People’s First Agenda. I am very happy to welcome you to join hands with me as we deliver what we have promised to do” Governor Riek stated in a statement.
Wal Makuei acknowledged the weight of the responsibility and pledged to work in line with your prescribed service delivery ethics of standard, hard work, and perseverance in his acceptance speech.
Outgoing Commissioner Dongei Gai Dongei, commended the administration’s efforts to strengthen revenue institutions, noting that challenges in the sector could only be overcome through cooperation and shared responsibility.
“Revenue generation is a challenging field. But as a state government, we must rise to the occasion and work together to overcome these obstacles for the benefit of our people,” Dongei remarked.
Officials present at the ceremony included members of the State Cabinet, lawmakers, legal practitioners, and representatives from cultural groups.
The governor’s directive to overhaul revenue collection comes amid growing calls for fiscal transparency and efficient resource allocation across South Sudan.
Jonglei’s leadership in revenue generation positions it as a potential model for reform, especially as the country seeks to reduce dependency on oil revenues and diversify its economic base
Governor Riek’s reform agenda forms part of Jonglei State’s broader efforts to streamline public finance systems, increase revenue transparency, and align state economic management practices with national Public Financial Management (PFM) objectives.