In a not-so-conventional move, the Minister of Finance has held several engagements with the Management of the National Revenue Authority over the low performance in revenue generation in the first two months of the new year.
Speaking to Commissioners and staff of NRA at the Customs Department, Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura stated his mission was to deliver a clear message from President Dr Julius Maada Bio about his disappointment with the revenue performance.
He noted that it is cornering that the country’s revenue to GDP ratio stands at about 8.1%, and with high expenditure, there is every need to improve revenue mobilisation.
The Minister further stated that, over the years, the government has invested in reforms using technology solutions to improve tax collection, administration and management.
He admonished the staff of the NRA to take responsibility and ensure they fully implement tax laws and reforms.
Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie urged NRA to use the systems provided to them, stating that everybody has a role to play in generating the much-needed revenue they need to run the state and assured NRA of the full support of the Ministry of Finance.
Board Chair of NRA, Kabineh Kallon, stated that targets are set as a baseline and not what is to be collected, and therefore appeals to staff to do the right things and use the laws to collect the tax,
Deputy Minister of Finance II, Bockarie Kalokoh, who was also part of the visits, noted that NRA needs to do more in areas like GST, PAYE and Customs.
Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority, Jeneba Bangura, stated that since January 2025, there has been a 25% shortfall in revenue collection.
This trend, she said, must not continue in the coming months.
Madam Bangura also said that this visit by the leadership of the Ministry of Finance will further reiterate the position of the
President on this matter.
The team visited the Customs Department at the Port, the ITS scanning facility and the Domestic Tax Department, where several issues on compliance, enforcement, the use of technology solutions and the behaviour of NRA staff.
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