By Isatou Jallow
President Adama Barrow has said Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) Taxpayers Award ceremony, “looking ahead, the event will form part of my annual calendar of activities.”
“It is conclusive that the initiative does not only provide a forum for interaction between the taxpayers and the Executive arm of Government, but also promotes and serves as a catalyst for voluntary tax compliance,” he told taxpayers and officials of GRA at the 4th edition of award ceremony at Kairaba Beach Hotel.,
Organised and initiated by the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) under the visionary leadership of the Commissioner General Mr. Yankuba Darboe. The Saturday 4th edition is the first taxpayers’ award ceremony to grace by the President Adama Barrow.
President Barrow commended the Board and Management of The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) on this brilliant initiative, designed to honour and recognise the most compliant taxpayers in our economy.
“As a former businessman, I know how difficult it can be for business entities to pay taxes; as such, GRA deserves commendation for initiating this laudable scheme.
Let me quickly use this opportunity to thank all taxpayers, Gambian nationals and non-nationals alike, especially those in the private sector, for their consistent contribution to national development,” he told taxpayers.
He added: “My government recognises and deeply appreciates the role taxpayers play in providing the volume of revenue needed to fund our various development projects across the country.”
The Gambian leader disclosed that the Banjul rehabilitation and Hakalang road projects, among others, are both fully-funded government projects, using tax revenue, saying that “by doing this, we avoided obtaining loans elsewhere.”
He further stated that because The Gambia is a tax-based economy, government will continually require local funding to implement most of nation development projects.
“In the face of the donor fatigue syndrome, the Government has to look within to address our development challenges.
Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the economies around the world, including those of donor countries, we can no longer rely on external aid to fund national projects. This makes the GRA Taxpayers’ Award initiative absolutely timely and appropriate,” he pointed out.
According to the 2018-2021 National Development Plan (NDP), was formulated to roadmap to jump-start economic growth and transform the society, noting that his government has been exploring and adopting measures to stabilise the economy and improve internal revenue generation.
“As a result, domestic revenue mobilisation stands out as a key strategy towards meeting the financing needs for the attainment of the NDP targets. Reforming tax administration is central to addressing the country’s economic challenges and funding gaps in order to fulfil our development obligations.
To realise this, the Government will continue to provide the required policy environment, the political will and, where feasible, material support for GRA to perform maximally,” he told taxpayers.
President Barrow’s proud to say that government support to GRA has indeed paid off, as evidenced by the progressive revenue performance of the Authority over the last five years.
According to him, since 2017, revenue figures have grown considerably, while he commended the GRA Board, Management and Staff for remaining steadfast, working hard and doing their utmost to mobilise the revenue the government so badly need for national development operations.
Meanwhile, Yankunba Darboe, the Commissioner General of Gambia Ports Authority, described the day as ideally placed at the beginning of the financial year of the government.
“In order to appreciate their distinguished taxpayers who are working very hard to liberate the country from external resources dependency. Therefore, mobilization of domestic resources is crucial for the funding of our own budget, our own priorities to spur our own economic growth and development,” he said.
According to the Commissioner General, the growths in their manpower and capacity have translated into the excellent revenue performance that GRA continue to register year after year.
According to him, since GRA started operations in 2006 that the Authority has been able to grow revenue from D2.8Billion within 15years.
He said:“During this period, average monthly revenue collection grew from D235Million in 2006, to over D1.1billion in 2021, representing more than 35% growth, Similarly, the average year-on –year revenue growth between 2006-2021 stands at 11%, making the Authority one of a few in Africa to have registered this level of consistent revenue performance and growth over time.”
“In 2020 and 2021 financial years were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Authority was able to exceed target, and collected over D11.8Billion in 2020 and over A12.7billion in 2021 despite the numerous challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
He thanked their esteemed and formidable Board of directors under the leadership of Mrs. Lucy FyE-Jagne for providing the much –needed guidance in our reform programs.
He said that GRA is committed to providing optimum client services to our taxpayers in order to enhance relationship between the Authority and the taxpayers and facilitate trade and creating the right environment for businesses to prosper.
“On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Gambia Revenue Authority, I wish to congratulate in Advance, the taxpayers that will end up winning awards today and wish those that will miss out, the best of luck next year,” hr told staff.
He said the ceremony is not about winners and losers, saying “It is about showing appreciation to our esteemed clients- you the taxpayers, for your exemplary compliance with your tax obligation. Paying taxes is a legal and civic duty on the citizen, natural or corporate.”
“At the end of the event about (30) Companies were awarded by the Gambia Revenue Authority for their most tax complaint and awardees be carry in the next edition,” he said.
