To collect D19.2 billion from the taxpayers, GRA staff need to redouble efforts and show more commitment, dedication, teamwork and professionalism, CG Darboe said.
He made this appeal while addressing his staff at the last day of the GRA Board Trek at the Banjul International Airport customs office on Wednesday 20 March 2024.
The high-powered delegation from GRA, which comprised top and senior management officials and media officers, was headed by the Board chair Madam Lucy Fye Jagne.
This year’s business or revenue collection exercise would not be as usual, CG Darboe said with a strong warning, emphasising that there would be no compromise for any misbehaviour from any GRA staff in terms of discipline, punctuality, code of conduct and respect for hierarchy.
“GRA is a highly respected institution,” he said, “so when coming to work, staff of the institution should dress well and be punctual.” Despite the daunting task and challenges in revenue collection, GRA has been able to collect over three billion dalasis (D3 billion) within two months, he disclosed, saying that in January this year the Authority collected over D1.7 billion and in February over D1.4 billion, making it a total of over D3 billion.
This would not have been possible without the hard work of the staff and the digitalisation system that GRA has introduced by tracking imported goods coming into The Gambia, the GRA boss said.
He was impressed about the trend or progress of revenue collection in the first two months, he pointed out, saying that with firm commitment and diligent work from his staff, GRA would collect more than each of the previous months by end of March.
To achieve that would require concerted efforts, team spirit and sound mind for staff to seal leakages at their designated branch offices and allow revenue to flow into government coffers.
According to Mr Darboe, even though the level of compliance has increased over the years, the GRA staff should not rest on their laurels but go to the field to collect more revenue to enable the Authority meet its monthly targets and annual goal.
He also spoke on work ethics, saying there is no room for complacency on indiscipline, disrespect for hierarchy - from their various managers.
“We have posted and appointed you as managers to represent the Commissioner General in your various branch offices but not to micro-manage you,” he admonished the staff, saying: “This is big responsibility entrusted to all managers, and you must live up to expectations as a manager; otherwise any wrongdoing, the head office headed by the Commissioner General would hold the manager responsible.”
He also advised managers to always monitor junior staff on daily basis; otherwise whatever wrong happens at any branch office; the manager would be held accountable. “Therefore, staff should show high commitment and professionalism in the collection of revenue from the taxpayers,” he said.
He assured the staff of full management support, saying whatever challenges or constraints they face in their work, GRA would not hesitate to address them efficiently in order to maximise revenue collection. “As a staff, you need all the requirements and support including motivation to execute your duties efficiently and effectively,” he said, adding that staff motivation is part of his top priorities and would continue to motivate the staff to prevent inefficiency.
For her part, GRA Board Chair Madam Lucy Fye Jagne said she was impressed with the revenue collection performance by the various GRA branch offices.
GRA has extremely performed not only in revenue collection but also in other reforms, which has led to the good revenue performance so far by the Authority, Madam Fye Jagne said.
She commended the staff, particularly female staff, and advised them to redouble their efforts through commitment to continually attain and maintain high positions at GRA.
