Abdoulie Nyockeh was speaking recently while delivering a welcoming address during a day’s media engagement on the “Role of journalists in enhancing Public-Private-Partnership’.
The event held at regional education office in Brikama, was organized by NFTR with financial support from Jah Oil Company.
Formed in March 2019, NFTR Gambia Chapter is committed to working closely with the GRA to raise awareness on revenue mobilisation for national development. Moreover, the idea of establishing the network came following the outcome of African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) 2nd media engagement convened for 70 journalists and communicators from 22 countries held in Kigali, Rwanda 2019.
“I was lucky to represent The Gambia at this international forum. However, the primary objective of the network is to ensure that there is a transparency on payment of taxes between the Government, business community and the Tax Authority.”
The mission of the NFTR, he added, is to complement government efforts in tax education and sensitisation to ensure greater tax compliance.
“I believe this forum is geared toward establishing a strong partnership between media practitioners, public and private sectors.”
He, thus, expressed optimism that the forum would no doubt groom journalists with the requisite knowledge on their role and responsibility in enhancing public private partnership.
To that end, he acknowledged and commended Hamidou Jah, Chief Executive Officer of Jah Oil Company, for empowering and supporting journalists to effectively and efficiently discharge their role and responsibility in national development.
“The media remain committed in highlighting tax matters as a means of ensuring that the public is adequately informed and educated on the underlining issues of taxation.”
NFRT president maintained that national development is not the responsibility of government alone, but ‘we all have a stake in it.’
“Therefore, I strongly believe the nature and outcome of this forum will go a long way to strengthening the relationship between the public–and private sector as well as the media.”
The convergence, he added, would serve as an opportunity for the media to interact with both the public and private sector to discuss issues of concern and foster networking in the best interest of The Gambia.
