Yei County Government Concludes Finance and Revenue Training

(YEI, CENTRAL EQUATORIA STATE) – A two day financial management training  sponsored by Japan for over 35 officials concluded on Thursday in Yei, with participants gaining practical skills in revenue collection, accountability and public financial administration in Yei River County.

The Commissioner of Yei River County, Hon. Emmanuel Taban Seme, commended both facilitators and trainees for their active participation. He highlighted the importance of ongoing capacity building among government officials as a key step in improving public service delivery.

Commissioner Seme noted that while South Sudanese citizens aspire to peace and development, challenges remain when individuals take public office without adequate skills. He encouraged participants to continue enhancing their professional abilities and said future programmes would focus on more advanced leadership and management training.

He also urged county staff to strengthen teamwork, build mutual trust and follow administrative policies, including the proper use of annual leave entitlements.

The Executive Director of Yei River County, Mr. John Hillary Konga, said the training had a positive impact on county administration, particularly in improving organisation, coordination, and efficiency among financial officers. He observed that revenue collection in the county had improved compared with previous years and called on participants to apply the knowledge gained in their daily work.

Mr. Konga added that the county benefited from experienced facilitators and encouraged financial officers to submit accurate and timely financial reports to the Ministry of Finance. He said the training had equipped participants with essential technical skills.

The programme brought together county financial officers and other officials to address challenges in revenue collection and financial management. Participants received practical instruction on accountability, tax systems, and proper documentation for local tax administration.

One of the facilitators, Mr. Scopas Joseph Moga, expressed satisfaction with the level of participation, describing trainees as key contributors to the country’s future development. He assured the Commissioner that participants showed a clear understanding of their responsibilities in financial management.

Mr. Moga explained that the training included accountability reporting, various tax types, and procedures for tax administration. He added that the facilitation team remained ready to support further training, particularly for officials needing foundational guidance.

The JICA Team Leader, Mr. Akonj James Adwok, praised the participants for dedicating their time to attend the programme, emphasising that such commitment is essential for strengthening county-level financial management systems.

Participants also welcomed the initiative. Ms. Juan Annet described the training as timely and impactful, noting it enhanced understanding of financial management and offered important capacity-building opportunities. She highlighted the need for more female participation and stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns to improve citizens’ understanding of taxes and encourage cooperation with government institutions.

Mr. Wani Banja said the training was planned in collaboration with the Director General of Planning in Central Equatoria State. Its aim was to ensure that all officials handling accounts in Yei River County take financial management seriously and are better prepared to address existing challenges.

The training is expected to contribute to increased transparency, stronger accountability, and improved revenue performance in Yei River County.