The newly formed state of South Sudan, demonstrates a painful understanding of trade and customs. Evidently this is the product of political thinking, or poor journalism, or zero understanding of economics and administration. I wonder what Customs role really is?

The Director General of Trade in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Stephen Matatia said that his office is not for collecting tax revenue but only for imposing penalties on those who break the law and order. He said it is the Customs Service staff who have the responsibility of collection revenues. The ministry of Commerce staff are only there to collect the penalties from those traders who break the laws and orders of the land related to trade and commerce. He said their other function is the imposition of laws on prohibited goods.

Staff of ministry of Commerce stationed in Nimule border checkpoint report to headquarters in Juba every 15 days to present comprehensive report on their duties. He said the Ministry is preparing to open more offices in other parts of Greater equatorial and in Greater Upper Nile in the border with Ethiopia.In Western Equatoria, Greater Bahr Ghazal, Unity State, bordering with Sudan, Central Africa Republic, Congo, will need offices,” he declared. Matatia observed that in some countries of Africa a lot of ministries of commerce are being classified together with industry thus they have ministries for industry, commerce, supply and cooperatives. Source: AllAfrica.com