By: Sulayman Waan
Borri Darboe, commercial manager for Banjul Breweries Limited has unveiled that his company has lost about thirteen millions dalasi due to the exercise tax increment from 10% to 75%.
Mr. Darboe was speaking to The Voice in an exclusive interview yesterday saying “we have lost almost D13 millions in May; so this is not a joking matter. Government need to understand that. This is one of the biggest companies in the country. We are paying almost fourteen different types of taxes to government.”
He added: “A company that is paying huge tax is great partner to government. It should be taking seriously and be protected to ensure government continue receiving its taxes from the company. Allowing the company to close would be detrimental to national development.”
Darboe revealed that between the months of January and April the company paid D115 millions of tax to government, adding the tax paid by his company in May2019 to government if added to that of January and April it stand at the total of about D124 million.
“My volume is really going down because in May 2019 instead of government receiving D16.6 million on tax from us, they received D7.1 million from us, this indicates that we are dropping,” he pointed out.
He further stated that in April 2019 the company paid D4.6 million value added tax (VAT) and it drop in May 2019 to D2.2 million because the VAT has drop due to the company’s volume drop down.
“I know without taxation there can’t be development but you (government) can’t over tax companies and as a result of that taxation the company short down. In this the revenue you (government) projected you will not get it.”
“Is better to do it rationally that would allow the company to operate and then government gets its revenue? Otherwise the company will short down and nothing will go the government coffers,” he said.
Mr. Darboe noted that the situation of Banjul Breweries is alarming because the company had made all efforts to negotiate with government but no positive respond is given yet, adding this situation is bad for both the company and the nation.
He called on National Assembly Members to consider the nation to double their efforts to ensure the tax impose on the company is reduce to 15%.
The company employed 150 people and 18 have gone home, more will lose their jobs if the situation is not reverse. Now the situation depends on the parliamentarians. These are the only people who can safe Banjul Breweries from closure, he said.
However, he said if this multi million dollar company is close it will drastically affect youth employment and the tourism industry. While urging the parliamentarians to reinforce their efforts in resolving the situation.
“The company is real development partner to government and it never evades its tax obligation to the state; “Therefore, Government should reverse the policy now, rather than waiting until the company is close because it employs many and improves lives. I think is better we work collectively to avert the issue that is going to be too bad for the country,” he stated.
He also urged the Finance ministry to work with factory’s management to resolve the problem, saying it would be more economical to the state since if the country corporates with Castel group company (company’s owners) it could adjust its investment in the country as it did to other West African country.
