By Lodu William Odiya
Juba County Commissioner Kalisto Lado Faustino has cautioned local government officials to ensure that taxpayers’ money is translated into basic services and development for the communities they serve.
After taking an oath for his duties, Commissioner Kalisto said public officials have a responsibility to provide security, stability, and essential services to residents across their respective areas.
He said security and stability remain critical to creating an environment where South Sudan’s planned elections can take place.
“We will carry this duty with full responsibility. We know we have a duty to provide security and stability to the people and their properties all over the respective areas or constituencies that we are going to be running our duties,” Kalisto said.
He stressed that without security and stability, the country’s electoral process could face serious challenges.
The Juba County Commissioner also pledged to work closely with the Central Equatoria State Governor, saying the county administration would operate under the governor’s guidance, supervision, and direction.
“We will work in coordination with our governor and under his guidance, supervision, and direction. I’m sure failure is not our fate,” he said.
Kalisto acknowledged that residents are facing numerous challenges and said service delivery must therefore remain a major priority for the new local government leadership.
He urged officials to use revenue collected from their respective areas to support development and provide basic services to the people.
“In conclusion, we know that our people are undergoing a lot of challenges, and therefore, among many tasks that are actually put upon us is the mission of provision of services, basic services to our people,” he said.
The commissioner emphasised that public revenue should benefit the same communities that contribute to it through taxation.
“We must make sure we go and we provide services and we carry out development activities using the necessary revenue that we will get from our respective areas, especially as Commissioners and the Mayor, because as a matter of principle, the taxpayers’ money must get back to the taxpayers through service delivery,” Kalisto said.
His remarks place service delivery, accountability, and security among the key responsibilities facing the new local government officials.