By ISATOU JALLOW
The deputy Commissioner General and Head of Domestic Taxes at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Essa Jallow has made it cleared that about 80% of GRA payments are now handling electronically while GRA is about to pilot a mobile payment solution with EcoBank soon.
Mr. Jallow revealed this as he delivered a speech at the launching of the Taxpayers Charter held recently in Bijilo.
According to him, GRA has launched some massive digitalization projects to digitalize both customs and tax operations.
“To do this, GRA is currently implementing two ICT projects called ITAS for the full automation of all tax processes with support to the tune of $13 million from the World Bank. On the Customs side, GRA is also implementing the web-based ASYCUDA World project jointly funded by the African Development Bank and GoTG,” Mr. Jallow stated.
GRA, he added, also have projects such as the SIGMAT which will assist in providing a state of the earth platform for managing its transits in addition to plans to launch a cargo tracking system for the safe passage of transit goods through the approved transit corridors. And, GRA, also investing heavily on developing its human resource base which also culminated in a number of HR reforms to enhance staff productivity and performance for a more professional workforce operating with private sector ethics and good corporate governance.
“GRA Taxpayers Charter is part of the reform initiatives contained in the current GRA Strategic Plan 2020-2024 aimed at improving the delivery of quality taxpayer services by GRA on the one hand and promotion of voluntary tax compliance by the taxpayers on the other.
He dilated on the importance of the Taxpayers Charter saying the document typifying a professional contract between the GRA and its clientele of persons mainly engaged in taxable transactions, international trade and other service delivery arrangements with GRA cannot be overemphasized in a modern 21st century tax administration.
The implementation of GRA Taxpayer charter will boost mutual trust and confidence between GRA and their taxpaying publics which will undoubtedly increase voluntary tax compliance expand the tax base and guarantee a continuous year-on-year revenue growth.
