By Alan Clement
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has called for transparency in revenue collection in lucrative areas.
During a meeting in the beginning of this week, with the Minister of Interior, Governor Lobong highlighted that revenues collected particularly by traffic police officers are not being properly accounted for, warning of possible misappropriation.
He called for improved oversight and transparency in the collection of traffic-related revenues, citing alleged malpractices within the traffic police department.
“Some officers are collecting revenues but failing to remit them either to Juba or Torit,” Lobong told the minister.
“Non-official financial documents are being used, which raises serious concerns about misappropriation,” he added in a statement emphasizing that such practices undermine public trust and called for immediate corrective measures to ensure proper financial accountability.
In addition to the financial concerns, Lobong also criticized the practice of transferring or arresting state police officers without informing the State Commissioner of Police. “Deployments and arrests are being made in Nimule without the knowledge of the state police leadership. This undermines state authority,” he said.
Security issues in Magwi County also featured prominently in the discussion. The Governor warned that cattle herds brought in from other states have triggered instability in the region. “The influx of cattle from outside Eastern Equatoria is creating insecurity in Magwi,” he noted.
In response, the Minister of Interior pledged to follow up on the irregularities in the traffic police department, noting that oversight rests with the Inspector General of Police. On the cattle issue, he assured that he would engage Members of Parliament from Jonglei State to to encourage herders to return their livestock to their areas of origin.
The meeting underscores growing tensions between state and national authorities over administrative coordination, financial integrity, and local security management.