Juba City Mayor Christopher Sarafina Wani Swaka meets with members of the Hotel and Catering Association in Juba to discuss proposed waste collection fees. Photo: Juba City Council.

The Juba City Council has begun consultations with the hospitality sector on proposed changes to solid waste collection fees.

The discussions are aimed at improving sanitation services while addressing concerns raised by businesses.

It is not clear how much the City Council plans to increase the waste collection fees.

According to reports, the City Council has revised charges from 225,000 to SSP1,575,000 for large warehouses, and from SSP16,200 to 32,400 for small businesses.

Juba City Council Mayor Christopher Sarafina Wani Swaka met with the Hotel and Catering Association of South Sudan yesterday.

The meeting discussed plans to revise waste management charges for hotels and other hospitality establishments as part of efforts to strengthen waste collection and keep the capital clean.

Speaking after the meeting, the Secretary General of the Hotel and Catering Association, Gabriel Weeping, welcomed the Council’s decision to consult stakeholders before implementing the new fees.

He said the hospitality industry remains committed to supporting efforts to improve environmental sanitation, but cautioned that a sharp increase in waste collection charges could place an additional financial burden on hotel operators.

The Association appealed to the Council to introduce the revised fees gradually and at affordable rates.

The Juba City Council said it will continue engaging stakeholders to ensure the revised fee structure supports effective waste management while taking into account the concerns of the business community.

In February this year, Mayor Swaka revealed that the City Council spends SSP 35 million every day on garbage collection across the city.