“We have to commend our staff for hard work they are doing, collection of revenue is not an easy task. We have always been there to ensure thing happen in term of achieving our set target,” DCG Jallow said.
Mr.Essa Jallow, Deputy Commissioner General and Head of Domestic Tax said as a result of team work GRA was able to put this kind of record with the collection of over D11 billion as revenue in 2020
In an exclusive interview in his office in Banjul on Friday, he said the nation revenue collector GRA under the humble leadership of the Commissioner General Mr.Yankuba Darboe, collected (D11, 807,925,060.95) billion in 2020.
According to him the government target for year 2020 was D10,088,777,844 billion but with hard and team work the GRA collected over D11 billion excess of (D1,219,147,216.82) representing 17% above the target.
Deputy Commissioner General Jallow, emphasized that the achievement is not only for the GRA but also for The Gambia and Gambians, describing the collection as an challenged and not a ‘child play.’ He said in view of last year negative impact caused by the pandemic on economy which was able to surpassed the revenue target tasked to collect for government in 2020.
He also attributed the development to the commitment from both the GRA staff and the management board.
“As you can see 2020 was not a normal year we have to grapple with the covid-19, but despite all that GRA was able to meet the expectation of government in term of revenue collection not limited to the target, but also putting an excess collection of (D1.7billion) that is going to facilitate a lot of thing in term of projects and programs for government. This is the kind of spirit we have at GRA,” Deputy Commissioner General Jallow stated.
He went further that GRA target is always to maximise collection regardless of what is the target, this can give more fiscal space for government to be able to address more and more programmes for Gambian people.
He commended taxpayers despite staff are hardworking but the revenue are contributed by taxpayers and they also respect the Gambian Tax laws which had made it possible in achieving this set target in 2020.
“Taxpayers have been very voluntary compliance to come forward and settle their tax obligation. We look forward for the continuation of this high spirit from side of the taxpayer and GRA will set target of D12.8 billion in 2021 and also this will be without any difficulties,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner General Jallow commended the GRA board for providing the strategic direction policy for the team to achieve the goals, saying that GRA staff depends on their guardians to be able to do their work in a very efficient and effective manner to ensure that the set target is achieved.
He further emphasized that the GRA board of management should be commended for providing the rightful policy for the GRA to be able to succeed in its endeavour.
“This achievement is a collective effort from every player at GRA ranging from the cleaners to the Commissioner General in ensuring that the set revenue target for 2020 was achieved. Mr.Jallow concluded.