By Maimuna Sey-Jawo
Staffs of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) have been trained on Installation of Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) to help in revenue mobilization.
This latest development is meant to enhance GRA to migrate from ASYCUDA++ which the GRA has been using over the years into ASYCUDA Worlds system.
It also aimed to transform business procedures and processes by leveraging ICT improved efficiency and quality of international trade data.
The training course covered general administration, data capture (manifest and declarations) maintenance of the reference data (tariff, codifications, taxation rules, etc.) and building of a prototype. The six weeks training attended by eight (8) participants was initiated by GRA and UNCTAD.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe congratulated the participants for been regular and attentive throughout the six-week training on installations of ASYCUDA Worlds system.
He said their participation was a clear indication of their commitment, dedication, and professionalism to ensure that GRA move into the next step by migrating from ASYCUDA ++ to ASYCUDA Worlds.
CG Darboe disclosed that it is always part of his wish to ensure that GRA have the right personnel at the right department.
He noted that GRA is currently blessed with highly educated Degree holders that together with their experiences, expertise and team spirit they will surely continue to meet Government Set Revenue Target on yearly basis.
He advised the senior officers of GRA to always share ideas and experience with the junior officers, by doing that it will greatly help the said Authority to register a lot of successes.
He however expressed gratitude to the trainees and trainers for the successful of the training, saying this shows that they are moving in the right track.
CG Darboe also spoke extensively on ethics and professionalism in the discharge of their work and reiterated that one of the expectations is that they should always deliver up to expectation with pay or without pay, while advised them to utilise the knowledge gained during period of the training.
In addition, he said once the system is handed over to GRA, the trainees’ team will be in a position to make sure that any issue that arise, they would be able to handle it professionally without hiring international expert.
For his part Emmanuel Murwon, expert trainer from Ugandan thanked the GRA for providing them the facilities needed during the training and described the participants as a baby for not only GRA but the entire Gambian, therefore “we need to develop because the world is dynamic, and technology is moving ahead every day.”
Other speakers include Musa Saidykhan project coordinator, AlhagieSaihou Denton director of Finance and Accounting and Joseph Njie commissioner of customs.
