Charcoal and wood sellers in the local Manyatta market in Tonj South of Warrap State have asked local government officials to give them some time to sell the goods without being taxed as the New Year begins.
Lim Kong Marol, one of the wood sellers, said it was not easy to get wood because of the long distances they travel in order to get it, Radio Don Bosco reported.He added that they use bicycles which make the work harder and slower, starting early in the morning around 5:00 AM and journey and return after 6:00 PM.
Mr Kong said he was not happy because many different departments at the county level levy taxes on wood traders.
He explained that one piece of wood out of ten will be taken as tax and they will be taxed an additional one pound for the remaining nine pieces of wood.
Mr Kong added that the wood sellers are promoting community development by bringing wood to be used for building houses and making fences in town.
He thanked local government officials for allowing the woodworkers to be able to cut trees in the area and urged wood buyers to cooperate with them and to pay fair and just prices for all of the hard work involved.