FILE: CES governor, Emmanuel Adil Anthony - Credit: Office of the Governor/Facebook).

Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony on Saturday directed the newly appointed Juba mayor to clean the city, open streets, and sympathize with traders by not locking their shops if they are unable to pay taxes.

Adil on Friday issued a gubernatorial decree reshuffling states and local government officials, when he named Flora Gabriel Modi as the new mayor.

The first-ever woman to serve in the position since the country’s independence – replaces Emmanuel Khamis, the commissioner of Lainya County, who was sacked for slapping a hawker.

Speaking to the officials shortly after their oath ceremony in Juba, the governor asked Mayor Flora to address the issue of garbage dumping on main roads.

Adil said the city must be swept clean of every dirt as it reflects the country’s international image.

“I restructured the administration of Juba City Council because of one thing, and this is what I want you Flora to go and correct, the issue of garbage and organization of City Council,” Adil said in a speech sent to Eye Radio.

“We are residing in dirty areas and roads. There is also another habit where garbage is brought from the areas and dumped on the roadsides.”

“This is the image of the nation where ambassadors, international envoys, presidents and investors come to and with this reflection does it show that this is life of South Sudan, NO! I think we have to stop this in an organized way”.

Governor Adil further called for a new approach to tax collection including sympathizing with traders by not locking their businesses when they are unable to pay tax.

“The names of the Juba City Council officers were spoiled because of the locking of shops with padlocks, and I said this needs to be corrected.”

“There is a way you can get tax from a citizen because this are our citizens, and we have to be friendly to them so you must have a better way of getting taxes.”

On her part, Juba Mayor Flora assured her commitment to work with the deputies to keep Juba City clean.

“This appointment is an honor and am fully committed to work with my deputies to deliver services on the mandate trusted upon us,” she said.

“We will be working together in contributing and realizing our shared vision of the state of keeping Juba city clean and green, security, clean drinking water and others within Juba City, with integrity, transparency and accountability we will work together with my deputies”.