By: Aja Musu Bah-Daffeh
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), has recently attained their year ended revenue target for 2021 to 100%.
This declaration was made by the Commissioner General of GRA, Yankuba Darboe and Essa Jallow, the Deputy Commissioner General and Head of Domestic Taxes at its main office in Banjul.
Speaking was C.G Yankuba Darboe who vehemently acknowledged his management and entire staff for their benevolent service and collective efforts in making sure that GRA stand fully on its feet.
He asserted that their 2021 accomplishment is a great achievement and will enhance their revenue services and policies; thus he promised that they will not relent in their efforts in achieving greater things in the future. However, C.G Darboe applauded the public enterprise companies for their voluntarily tax compliance over the years.
On his part, DC.G Jallow said the government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOFEA) committed GRA to collect over D12.7Billion annual revenue target for 2021 adding that, despite the numerous challenges affecting revenue collection due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic, GRA was able to accomplish the stipulated amount (D12.7Billion) which he said that in percentage term, GRA achieved 100% of its annual revenue target.
He said what they always try to do at GRA, is to maximize their collections regardless of what the target was, in order to give the Government more fiscal space to address more problems for Gambians.
“GRA has been performing relatively well in revenue performance over the years due to collective commitment from all taxpayers and GRA staff and management,” Mr. Jallow stated.
He commended both the taxpayers and the GRA staff and Management for the commitment to national duty noting that GRA collect revenue for national development. He however added that GRA cannot do it alone, and that increased voluntary tax compliance has really yielded dividend in GRA revenue performance over the years. He also disclosed that GRA is planning to host a taxpayer’s award to return gratitude to the most tax complaint companies. He said the objective is to motivate them for respecting the law of the land, particularly the revenue laws which is the lifeline of the country.