Brikama
Area Council BAC under its new Chief Executive Officer Modou Jonga has launched
its first ever digital tax management system under the theme: Introducing
Digital Tax Collection to Enhance National Development.
According
to the council’s public relations officer, the project aims to ensure
efficiency and transparency in tax collection process, improve confidence of
the residents in the financial dealings of the council, thus avert tax fraud,
evasion and corruption in the council’s tax collection processes.
In
his welcome remarks deputy Governor of West Coast Region, Musa Suso, said
migrating from manual to digital tax management system is a new efficient and
digital transformation system for tax collection that enhances tax filings and
reduces tax avoidance, evasion, corruption and tax fraud.
According
to him, the project seeks to go digital, improve tax revenue and reduce tax
processing cost, which, he said is the reason for the council to invest so
heavily in it, saying it is a wise move and urge Brikama Area Council and 5c
Energy Gambia Limited to see the project as a noble cause.
Chief
Executive Officer Modou Jonga stated that the council needs adequate resources
to become vibrant and responsive to the eeds and aspirations of the public,
saying as such, they have to ensure the viability of its revenue sources, as it
is the council’s fundamental duty.
“It
is our major expectation that this system will maximize our revenue potentials,
reduce the cost of tax compliance and drastically eliminate revenue leakages”.
Chairman
Sheriffo Sonko said the launch of the digital tax management system is a
fulfillment of key recommendation by the interim management committee of the
council before he assumes office.
He
said the council entered into partnership with 5c Energy Gambia Limited on the
basis of Public Private Partnership and signed a framework agreement in 2019,
with the objective to enhance the tax collection, accuracy and efficiency, as
well as reduce tax evasion and guaranteeing transparency in the entire process
of revenue generation.
He
urged the region to take ownership of the project and be tax compliant to
maximize revenue potentials that will immensely guarantee transformation of the
region.
Sunkary
Badgie, Member for Foni Berefet and erstwhile Chairman of the Council said if
implemented, the digitalized tax system will boost tax payer’s confidence in
the council and increase compliance, reduce tax administration cost, processing
time and ease monitoring.
Samba
Sowe, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of lands and regional governments
said the event marks a turning point in the efforts to enhance effective
revenue collection for the Brikama Area Council.
He
said the project alongside with other development initiatives of the council
will go a long way in strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of tax
collection.
