He also thanked government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs for the continuous support and encouragement toward the GRA, while presenting the Authority’s activity report of the year 2021 before deputies on Tuesday.
According to Mr. Darboe, the success of GRA has been due to not only the hard work, commitment and dedication of staff and board but also due to the support of the Honorable Members of the National Assembly (NAMs), who, he said have over the years swiftly considered and passed revenue laws and amendments brought before them.
He also assured the Members of Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly that GRA management and staff are ever determined to continue facilitating the payment of taxes due to government in the most conducive environment. “In doing so, we will continue to solicit the support of the government and the National Assembly Members in enacting laws that can help the GRA deliver on its mandate,” he said.
“The Financial statement we are presenting today is based on the subventions received to run the affairs of the authority, and not on the revenue collected for government,” he informed deputies.
Mr. Darboe added that the revenues collected by the Authority were being presented to Assembly by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs through the office of the Accountant General as part of the overall government revenue and expenditure statements.
He said that GRA as a semi-autonomous body is mandated to administer the revenue laws of The Gambia by assessing, collecting, and accounting for all revenues due to government in a fair and transparent manner, while providing efficient and effective system for compliance.
He mentioned that oversight responsibility of managing the affairs of GRA is reposed in a board of directors to ensure it provides a clear and consistent policy direction to the Authority, adding that the GRA meets at least once every month and has set up the staff and establishment and finance, an audit subcommittee to support it in discharging its function effectively and efficiently.
CG Darboe said the day-to-day running of the Authority is vested in the commissioner general supported by the deputy commissioner general and other heads of departments.
“The year 2021 marked the second year of the implementation of the fourth GRA Corporate Strategic Plan 2020 to 2024. The plan focuses on the maximisation of revenue collection, strengthening the trust and confidence of the government and the public on the service being provided by the Authority,” CG Darboe stated.
