GAMBIA REVENUE AUTHORITY LAUDED FOR CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE
During the first Economic Council meeting, chaired by President Adama Barrow earlier this week, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) received praise for its consistent performance over the years in mobilising revenue to drive growth and development.The GRA is essential to the government's operations, tasked by law with mobilising and administering tax revenue. This responsibility is significant and complex, and the GRA takes it very seriously.Under the leadership of Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, the Authority has consistently met and even surpassed its annual revenue collection targets. This year is no different, with positive prospects already evident.The GRA's progress and performance stem from a strong commitment to reform. Commissioner Darboe has initiated various reforms aimed at maximising revenue, eliminating leakages, and enhancing efficiency. Notable initiatives include the introduction of a digital tax stamp and a fuel marking system to increase revenue.The Authority has also launched a single-window platform at all ports of entry and exit to track the transfer and transit of goods within The Gambia. All activities are monitored from the GRA headquarters, allowing officials to trace all movements and prevent the diversion of trucks and fuel tankers.This system is backed by dedicated infrastructure installed at the Banjul Ports, facilitating quick turnover and enabling businesses to clear goods within 24 hours. GRA staff can scan containers to determine their contents within minutes and digitally weigh trucks to assess volumes. Additionally, containers unloaded from ships can be electronically registered.With these systems in place, Mr Darboe believes innovation and digitalisation are key to the GRA's future. The Authority is already planning to introduce a centralised platform allowing taxpayers to pay all taxes online from the comfort of their homes or offices, eliminating the need to visit GRA offices in person.These improvements have reduced bureaucracy, enabling agents and businesses to clear containers from Banjul Port with ease and transparency. Rafael Mendy, the GRA's seaport manager, emphasises that these developments highlight the Authority's commitment to service, transparency, and accountability.Another ambitious initiative, the Rental Income Tax, is already making an impact by transforming the collection and management of rent tax in The Gambia. This initiative covers properties within the Kanifing Municipality and Brikama Area Council and has seen revenue surge from D92 million at its launch in October last year to D139 million this month.All these advancements aim to maximise revenue collection, enhance efficiency, and promote transparency. The GRA's vision as a public institution is to empower taxpayers to take greater responsibility in assessing their tax obligations.Commissioner Darboe credits these successes to the political will and leadership of the President, who has been highly supportive of the Authority. He looks to the future with renewed confidence that the GRA will continue to sustainably mobilise revenue to drive socio-economic and infrastructural development in an atmosphere of peace and stability.The Economic Council meets monthly to discuss economic issues, review the performance of state institutions and agencies, and provide advice to the President and his government on economic matters.
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