By Mustapha Jallow
As part of their annual routine, officials of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) commenced a nationwide tour on Tuesday to receive first-hand information about the working conditions and challenges faced by its staff on the stations.
The delegation comprises a representative from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA), Ministry of Trade, and senior Management of GRA, headed by its Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe.
The purpose of the tour, according to the authority, is to enable the GRA Board of Directors to discuss with their staff on the ground and get first-hand information, ranging from their working condition, progress achieved by various tax offices and customs posts, challenges faced by staff of multiple outlets in the regions, plans to overcome those challenges.
Speaking at the Amdalai border customs post, Lamin M. Touray, Tax Manager at the Barra tax office, welcomed the delegation in NBR while expressing his delight to see the authority board and senior management whose mission was to see their working conditions. He informed the officials that the Barra Tax office has 130 files, including three corporate taxpayers.
At the Barra Tax office, he added: “So far, we collected 98% of the target and as at the end of November 2023 (i.e.) (D10,050,259.00) of a target of (D10,432,579.00).’’ Touray also highlighted some challenges gripping them, including the refurbishment of offices, the replacement of computers, and the enforcement of the tax collection on boats at Barra.
Yusupha Cham, customs manager at Amdalai border post, views the visit as a morale boost for his staff and motivation. He talked about other new challenges they face, including a need for designated examination areas for incoming cargo and parking space for incoming foreign vehicles. He said ASYCUDA World, and the E-Tracking systems were also implemented at Amdalai, which birthed great successes.
“This web-based system brought better speed, accuracy, and reliability as well as made data collection and analysis easier,’ he added. “We have collected D167 Million so far this year. The figure is expected to reach D200 million by December 2023. Such remarkable scores were archived through diligence, hard work, and commitment of all his staff,’ Cham said.
In addressing the meeting, Yankuba Darboe, the CG for GRA, felt impressed about his staff and the level of cooperation between the revenue authority and other sister security services at the Amdalai border. He further commended managers and staff for their commitment to revenue collection but cited that revolution can be necessary to be placed without pity. He, therefore, cherishes the relationship that he had seen in Amdalai. “We are here to meet and listen to your challenges and progress achieved and see how to help you overcome those challenges to ensure proper revenue collection,’ he said.
For her part, Madam Lucy Fye-Jagne, the GRA board chair, advised the authority staff to consider GRA to be a very reputable institution. Therefore, they should always protect the image of the revenue authority.
