By Isatou Jallow
Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has once again recognised the fundamental role played by the Gambia media in complimenting GRA efforts to improve the level of tax compliance in revenue collection.
He made this remark while updating the media about their collection of D1.5 billion in March which he has described as one of the biggest achievements in the history of the revenue authority since its creation to collect such an amount in a month.
He revealed that the cordial relationship between the media and his office cannot be underestimated as far as information dissemination is concerned. Mr. Darboe acknowledged the efforts of the media and view the Gambia media as real partners in development.
He stated that billions of dalasi that people are hearing that GRA is collecting on a monthly bases cannot be achieved in the absence of the fourth estate (Media) is very instrumental in creating public awareness and the importance of paying taxes for national development.
“We are therefore indebted to the Gambian media for their responsiveness in educating the general public on the importance of paying taxes to the government and why it is crucial in national development.
On the GRA’s latest digitization technologies, Mr. Darboe confirmed that the Media is playing a critical role in sending the right messages to the general public. He said this is yielding dividends in the collection of much-needed revenue for the government.
“We have no doubt or skeptic about the kind of professionalism that the Gambian media is playing in creating more public awareness on the mandate and roles and responsibility of GRA in national development. Let the Gambia media continue playing their quarter toward national development professionally as we will continue to work to boost the revenue collection for nation-building”.