SSRA chief warns against lavish hotel spending on government funds

South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) Commissioner General Rizig Dominic Samuel has criticised what he described as excessive spending on hotel accommodation using government shares, warning that such practices are unacceptable.

Dominic made the remarks on Monday during the launch of a training-of-trainers programme on taxation of the oil, gas, extractive industries and hospitality sector at the SSRA headquarters in Juba.

“I heard all the staff working in hospitality. They are the people who are sleeping in hotels here in Juba. They are the ones sleeping in hotels,” Samuel said.

He alleged that money intended for hotel taxes had instead been used to finance officials’ accommodation and lifestyles.

“The taxes that the hotels were to pay have been paid to them to live a happy life from the government shares,” he said.

Dominic called on those involved to address the practice, warning that he would take action if it continued.

“I hope you will address this thing, because soon I’m going to fight them,” he said.

The SSRA chief described the use of public funds to maintain expensive lifestyles as unacceptable and urged officials to change their conduct.

“This reflection of opulence and an expensive lifestyle, living in a big VIP room, hotels, on a government account, is unacceptable. That’s unacceptable,” he said.

He further warned officials against openly displaying wealth allegedly obtained through government resources.

“And even if you are clever and you want to take money from the government shares, you don’t have to show it in our faces. At least hide it,” Samuel said.

The remarks came during a programme focused on strengthening taxation capacity in the oil, gas, extractive industries and hospitality sectors.

Dominic’s comments raise questions about public expenditure, tax compliance and accountability in the management of government resources.

However, the commissioner general’s allegations regarding hotel taxes and government-funded accommodation were not accompanied by supporting details in the information provided.