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ACCFA claims stake in GRA D20B revenue

Jan 9, 2025, 10:48 AM | Article By: Abdoulie Nyockeh

The Association of Customs, Clearing and Forwarding Agents (ACCFA) said they were the main drivers that facilitated and complemented Customs efforts in meeting Gambia Revenue Authority’s (GRA) D19.2 billion revenue target in 2024.

“I can proudly say that clearing and forwarding agents are the main drivers that facilitated and complemented Customs efforts in meeting their target,” Essa Wally, president of ACCFA said at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the NaNA Conference Hall.

The aims of the AGM which was held over the weekend were to take stock of the progress registered, challenges, discuss and chart the way forward in the best interest of the Association.

President Essa Wally reminded members that 2024 had been a year of transformation both at the customs level and work as clearing agents. He also informed the ACCFA members that GRA was able to meet its annual revenue targets of D19.2 billion for the year 2024.

Mr. Wally went on to talk about the importance of the clearing and forwarding agents in the supply chain market of world trade in sea and air freight, from the shipper to the  consumers, saying it cannot be overemphasized. “That is why we are recognised by all the stakeholders in The Gambia and the subregion.”

He also advised ACCFA members to be very much mindful in their day-to-day activities with the recognition of their task to facilitate and complement customs effort in collecting revenue for the government.

He added that these initiatives can be undertaken successfully only if there is also an attitudinal change. He cited that the associations including ACCFA must successfully complete the toughest transformation, citing behavioural change as key.

“We are an organisation employing almost 800 people who are widely diverse in terms of origins, culture and background. It is a priority to advance on all the fronts of the Association’s culture to focus it on the values that are the fundamental to our success,” he noted.

Mr. Wally seized the opportunity to urge everyone to ensure that they exercise discipline and professionalism in the performance of their job.

He also talked about the need to consider the proposed introduction of Single Window – a web-based transaction requiring proper declaration and documentation.

“We will leave no stone unturned to position our honours and integrity into disrepute. We will take the bull by its horns in order to have a very disciplined clearing and forwarding workforce worth reckoning with. We will make sure we weed the grains from its chaff and all we ask of you is your fullest cooperation.”

He mentioned the challenges for 2024 /2025, attributing them to some of the members who he said were engaged in “dubious activities.” He added the consequences of some of these dubious activities especially with people in the Diaspora who have clue as to how we operate usually put the Association on the spotlight, while warning some members who are stamping for non registered clearing agents.