By Yunus S Saliu
For an in-depth knowledge about the ECOWAS protocols and related treaties as regard to interstate road transit barriers in the sub-region, the Network of Financial and Tax Reporters (NFTR) – The Gambia Chapter, Wednesday sensitised members on the Ecowas protocols.
The daylong sensitisation of members of the NFTR which took place at the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Bijilo was fully powered by the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA).
Addressing the participated members of the network, Abdoulie Nyockeh, president of the NFTR-Gambia chapter spoke highly on the signed ECOWAS protocols and said the converge will accord journalists opportunity to have an in-depth knowledge on what the ECOWAS protocols entails “in order to effectively report on issues affecting our cross borders.”
The network president commended the Commissioner General and staffs of the Gambia Revenue Authority for empowering and supporting journalists to understand the Ecowas protocols in order to disseminate factual information as regard the issue.
“As stakeholders, we value support, involvement and training on matters that are relevant to our work. It is the reason we valued the relationship with the Gambia Revenue Authority,” he disclosed.
Among other things, he said the convergence marked the 7TH NFTR Gambia Chapter Media engagement since its formation in 2019 and “today’s forum is part of the NFTR Gambia chapter Action Plan for 2021, which was recently validated by various stakeholders and Members of the Network,” he noted.
Mr Nyockeh expressed the importance members of the network attached to the sensitisation which NFTR Members are very much delighted to be associated with knowing fully that it will greatly add value to them to better know about the ECOWAS protocols.
He disclosed that West African head of states had signed the ECOWAS Protocols and treaties still unnecessary road transit barriers to trade remains a great concern in the sub-region which calls for collective effort to remedy the situations.
This forum, he said, will therefore, serve as a platform to meet and discuss issues affecting our road transit trade facilitation in the regions and see possible solution to address the matters.
“The Gambia is a tax base economy and tax is the life blood of any country, without tax forgets about meaningful development. Therefore, payment of rates and tax should be a collective responsibility for all and Sundry as patriotic Citizen,” he added.
He however, thanked the Gambia Revenue Authority for their all-time support to the Network of Financial and Tax Reporters.
The acting secretary general of Gambia Banker’s Association, Alagie Jeng applauded the network for its good work.
According to him since inception of the NFTR many activities have been implemented by the members in conjunction with the Gambia Revenue Authority and other partners.
He therefore challenged members to be proactive and more committed.
Mr Lamin Barrow, chairman of the Gambia Timber Association made comprehensive remarks about the problems and issues surrounding the trade road transit barriers between The Gambia and neighbouring counties, while Pateh Baldeh among other media practitioners made presentation on different issues.