Officials in Central Equatoria state met in Juba on Tuesday to discuss ways to improve tax collections.

State ministers, commissioners and mayors attended the meeting which ended today.

The state Minister of Information, Suba Samuel, told Eye Radio that the meeting was aimed at harmonizing the collection of taxes in the state.

Mr. Suba said this will improve efficiency and transparency in tax collection system.

He said the state government has not been able to implement its developmental plans because of budgetary constraints.

“For the last 5 years, the government has not be able to finance most of its budget and most of the amounts come from the national government,” said Mr Suba.

“That’s why we are not realizing any good development -simply because if there is any problem in the national government, then the priority will shift to other areas, and then there will be no money.”

Mr. Suba said the state government wants to prioritize farming as a way of generating income and improving food security.