By Isatou Jallow
The officials of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) Wednesday launched a taxpayers’ charter with the objectives of ensuring GRA service delivery more transparent and accountable to the public.
The official launching of the taxpayers’ charter was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Conference Centre.
Speaking at the launch, Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) Mr Yankuba Darboe outlined the significance of taxes, saying taxation is the largest source of government revenue, which plays key role in financing government programmes including education, health, social protection and infrastructure among others.
Noting that, mobilization of revenue collection is critical in the development of the country while disclosing that GRA has come a long way in its drive to offer best service delivery to their taxpayers through their taxpayer education program.
Since the inception of the Authority, he said, the directorate of the technical service has tirelessly embarked on sensitizing taxpayers on their rights and obligations as provided in the revenue laws administered by the Authority.
As a tax administration, he said, they are aware of the fact that they are operating in a challenging environment by asking people and business alike to part with their hard earn money through the payment of taxes.
The GRA boss noted situation has been further worsened by the continuing negative impacts of COVID-19 and most recently the Ukraine war all of which are contributing to higher cost on both the business community and the population consuming their products and services.
Indeed “over the years, GRA has demonstrated its ability to serve as a key pillar in supporting government’s development agenda through effective revenue mobilization. This achievement has been achieved through a consistent focus on reforms aimed at modernizing revenue management processes both legal and administrative,” he said.
Meanwhile, the benefits outlined by the charter explained the rights and obligations of taxpayers as provided in the revenue laws with a view to promote the cordial relationship between GRA and its taxpayers.
The charter stipulates the fundamental service standards that will be implemented to achieve quality service delivery through adopting tax administration best practices, which allows the partnership with taxpayers or stakeholders to grow and thereby improve tax administration.
CG Darboe disclosed that the charter is expected to build a customer service culture that strengthens partnership between GRA, taxpayers and other stakeholders for the benefits of either parties.
The Honourable Minister of Finane, Mambureh Njie commended the Board, management and staff of the GRA for coming up with the brilliant initiative of developing and launching the taxpayer charter, which outlined the obligations and rights of their esteemed taxpayers.
“This initiative by GRA is indeed laudable and worthy of commendation,” he commended.
He informed the gathering that the charter is aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency in the revenue mobilization system, adding that the charter defines the rights and obligations of taxpayers as defined by the GRA act 2004 (2010 as Amended), income and VAT Act (2012), customs and excise act {2010} and other revenue laws administered by the Authority.
The launching was attended by board of directors and top officials of GRA, Governor of Central Bank among other stakeholders.
