By Adama Makasuba
The Gambia Immigration Department has reported a revenue collection exceeding 7.5 million dalasis over the past two years. A significant portion of this revenue is attributed to the increased number of passport applications and heightened demand for other official documents, such as identification cards and alien residential permits.
At a recent unveiling ceremony in Banjul, Commissioner Karalang Jarju, head of the department’s finance division, stated, “Our administrative target for 2023 was set at 190 million dalasis, but we managed to collect 317 million, resulting in a surplus of 127 million, which translates to a 66.96% increase.” He noted, “They originally aimed for a target of 220 million dalasis for the year. However, the actual collection amounted to 420,219,024 dalasis, yielding a difference of 200 million, which reflects a remarkable 91.01% increase.”
Jarju attributed this impressive revenue performance to strategic initiatives and enhanced financial oversight. He highlighted several contributing factors to the notable revenue growth, including improved revenue monitoring and control measures. Key strategies such as rigorous financial monitoring to reduce revenue leakages, introducing new fees, and revising fee structures have played a crucial role.
Additionally, the cessation of revenue-sharing agreements within SEMLEC has allowed the government to retain 100% of the revenue generated from document issuance, further boosting collections. Jarju emphasized the importance of enhanced staff development and oversight, including the rotation of cashiers and strategic staff placements, to ensure greater financial accountability and promote efficiency through targeted promotions and redeployments.
