By Alpha Abu
The Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Samuel Jibao has told journalists in Freetown that the institution will be able to generate the targeted revenue this year despite the effects of the covid-19 pandemic. Whilst making the efforts his administration known during the government’s weekly press conference in Freetown, the NRA boss said already for the first quarter of 2021, they have collected 1.637 Trillion Leones which exceeds its target of 1.607. He said unlike what some may perceive as the government over burdening the people with taxes, Jibao said the the present government has been making indirect subsidies to individuals and businesses to the tune of 88.99 billion Leones which shows that the government is concerned about the welfare of the people.
The Commissioner said since assuming office in 2018 he and his staff have outlined a trajectory for a yearly revenue growth by a trillion Leones and explained of how despite the adverse economic climate of the pandemic in 2020, NRA raised 5.5 trillion Leones in revenue. He said the IMF and other international funding institution had left the country before the SLPP government took up office but have returned because of the positive impression they get about the government’s revenue generation drive. The confidence of partners was as a result also of revenue growth from 12.3 to 14.6 percent which is a percent higher than the acceptable international standards, he disclosed.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 30/04/21
