JUBA — Newly appointed Juba County Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado has vowed a zero-tolerance crackdown on graft, declaring his administration will target corruption across land management, finances, and public administration.
Speaking on Friday, October 2, during his reception ceremony, Commissioner Lado announced that his administration will strictly enforce a land tax on property owners across the county to regulate ownership and improve access to plots for ordinary citizens.
Under regulations currently being developed by the county, every individual owning land or empty plots will be required to pay land-related revenue, either monthly or annually.
“I also came here to make it clear that anyone who owns a piece of land within Juba County will be required to pay land-related revenues,” Lado said. “We intend to begin collecting revenue from every piece of land within Juba County. This is a system used around the world, where landowners pay certain revenues or taxes either monthly or annually. We will sit down later and establish the appropriate regulations, including how those who own ten or more plots of land will be required to pay.”
The administration’s new measures specifically target individuals holding multiple properties. Lado sharply criticized cases where single owners control dozens of parcels while others struggle to find housing.
“You can find undeveloped land in the forest, yet many of those plots are already owned by individuals,” Lado noted. “In some cases, one person owns more than 50 plots of land, while an ordinary South Sudanese citizen does not even own a single plot but lives on the land with his or her children.”
The commissioner explicitly described the hoarding of multiple plots of land as a form of corruption.
In addition to land reform, Lado vowed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all local revenue streams. His administration plans to review collections from markets, sand, gravel, shops, commercial companies, and tree-cutting fees.
The commissioner pledged a zero-tolerance approach toward corruption, warning that strict accountability will be enforced across all sectors.
“I came here because we need to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all revenue sources including those from markets, sand, gravel, shops, companies, and any other sources,” Lado stated.
“Even the value of cutting trees needs to be determined: how much it should cost and how the revenue should be managed. From there, we can move forward. This is corruption. Corruption is not only about money.
“I have come to cut the hands of all forms of corruption — whether it involves land, finances, administration, or even moral conduct. Anyone who misuses or interferes with public resources will be held accountable. We are moving forward, and this is why I have come here.”
