By Lodu William Odiya
South Sudan’s revenue chief has warned public officials against using government funds to pay for expensive hotel accommodation and luxurious lifestyles.
South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) Commissioner General Rizig Dominic Samuel issued the warning on Monday during the launch of a training program at the authority’s headquarters in Juba.
“I heard all the staff working in hospitality. They are the people who are sleeping in hotels here in Juba. They are the ones sleeping in hotels. The taxes that the hotels were to pay have been paid to them to live a happy life from the government shares. I hope you will address this thing, because soon I’m going to fight them. This reflection of opulence and an expensive lifestyle, living in a big VIP room, hotels, on a government account, is unacceptable. That’s unacceptable. And if they are there, let them start changing before we come for you,” Samuel said.
Samuel accused some officials of benefiting from public funds through costly hotel stays, including accommodation in VIP rooms. He said such spending was unacceptable when the country faced competing demands for government resources.
“I hope you will address this thing, because soon I’m going to fight them,” Samuel said, warning that authorities could take action against those involved.
The commissioner general expressed concern that money paid to hotels for officials’ accommodation could be used to sustain lifestyles that do not reflect responsible management of public resources.
He criticised officials who allegedly enjoy expensive accommodation at government expense, describing the practice as a display of opulence that must stop.
Samuel urged officials involved in the alleged practice to change their behaviour before the authorities intervene.
“And if they are there, let them start changing before we come for you,” he warned.
He also cautioned against openly displaying wealth if it had been acquired through the improper use of public funds.
Samuel’s comments place public expenditure and accountability at the centre of his message, with particular attention to government payments for accommodation and other personal benefits.
However, he did not name specific officials accused of the practice or provide figures showing how much public money had been spent on hotel accommodation.
He also did not announce specific enforcement measures or a timeline for any action against officials suspected of misusing government resources.
The warning comes as the revenue authority seeks to strengthen tax administration in several sectors of South Sudan’s economy.
The training-of-trainers program launched on Monday focuses on taxation in the oil, gas, extractive industries, and hospitality sectors.
It is intended to build the capacity of trainers working in areas considered important to the country’s revenue collection.
The hospitality sector, which includes hotels and other accommodation businesses, was among the areas covered by the program.
Samuel’s remarks linked the sector to wider concerns about the use of government funds, particularly payments for hotel stays by public officials.
His warning suggested that the authority would not tolerate officials using public resources to maintain expensive lifestyles.
The commissioner general called on those involved to change their conduct before authorities take action, although the SSRA press unit’s account did not detail any investigations or disciplinary proceedings linked to the allegations.
The SSRA has a central role in collecting domestic revenue, including taxes from businesses operating in the hospitality and extractive industries.