By Mustapha Jallow
Yankuba Darboe, the Commissioner General for the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), has announced that the annual revenue collection target for 2024 stands at D19 billion. Despite the target for 2023 being D15.2 billion. Darboe expressed optimism that the authority will surely achieve its targets. He did not disclose how much revenue has been collected from the first January to date, but he quickly said that by the end of December, GRA will surpass its revenue target in 2023.
Darboe thanked his staff, GRA staff, and the Board of directors for their commitment and for providing good policy direction. He said the government, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, tasked GRA with collecting D19B as an
annual revenue target for 2024. He disclosed this while addressing senior GRA staff during a surprise GRA Board visit to its headquarters in Banjul.
Mr. Darboe seized the opportunity to advise his staff on the challenge ahead, saying that all GRA staff need to double their efforts and show more commitment and dedication, knowing that authority will not let the government down as far as revenue collection is concerned. He called for more team spirit, cooperation, and commitment, adding that the management and Board of GRA will do everything humanly possible to support GRA staff to deliver up to expectations effectively and efficiently.
For her part, the GRA Board chair, Madam Lucy Fye Jagne, commended the staff and management of GRA, particularly the leadership, for living up to expectations every year regarding revenue collection. She said the target given to GRA is the trust and commitment of GRA toward national development.
Lucy further advised the GRA staff to portray a good image of GRA and double their efforts as there are challenges ahead in 2024. She further urged them to continue working towards supporting each other and learn more about the revenue laws and other services governing GRA.