Central Equatoria Cabinet Endorses Tourism Bill and Condemns Land Grabbing

(JUBA – The Government of Central Equatoria State has approved a new Tourism and Hotel Management Bill during its weekly Council of Ministers meeting held on Thursday in Juba. The meeting was chaired by Governor Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel.

The bill was introduced by State Minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, Hon. Alex Lotiyu Elia, as part of efforts to regulate and promote the hospitality and tourism sector.

According to Acting Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado, the bill was passed with amendments and will be forwarded to the State Parliament for further discussion and ratification.

The state cabinet also addressed a growing crisis of land grabbing in several areas including Lokwilili, Durupi and Joppa. Hon. Aligo confirmed that some government officials are allegedly involved in the unlawful occupation of land.

The cabinet called on the National Land Committee to act swiftly in providing solutions to informal settlements and to curb widespread encroachments.

In addition to land disputes, the Council discussed worsening security challenges. Officials reported the abduction of 19 youth in Mundu Boma of Kupera Payam, Lainya County.

The incident was attributed to armed holdout groups operating in the area. The state government condemned the act and demanded the unconditional and immediate release of those abducted.

Tourism is viewed as a potential source of both domestic revenue and foreign exchange, especially if supported by investment in infrastructure and peacebuilding.

The passing of the tourism bill is seen as a move to diversify the state’s economy beyond agriculture and livestock, areas that dominate Central Equatoria’s livelihoods.

While the new legislation may encourage growth in tourism, the unresolved issues of land ownership and insecurity remain major obstacles.

Land disputes, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas of Juba, continue to fuel tensions between communities and government authorities. Abductions such as those in Lainya and Morobo and Kajo Keji Counties further expose the insecurity that hampers tourism development.

How the state manages these challenges will be critical the success tourism diversification efforts.