BY: MOHAMED SAHR
In a recent announcement during the weekly government press briefing held at the Foreign Affairs Building in Freetown, Jeneba Kpaka Bangura, the Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), revealed that the organization has surpassed the landmark revenue threshold set by the Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone for the year 2023.
Bangura highlighted that despite facing significant challenges throughout the year, including security concerns and the pressures of a general election, the NRA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, managed to exceed expectations. The initial threshold set by Parliament stood at 9.346 billion Old Leones. However, through concerted efforts and strategic planning, the revenue generated soared beyond expectations, reaching 10.2 billion Old Leones by the end of the year.
Furthermore, Bangura emphasized that the collective efforts of the Ministry of Finance and the NRA have resulted in a revised projection for the year 2023, with the target now set at 10.956 billion Old Leones. Despite encountering obstacles such as security challenges and political turbulence, the NRA has demonstrated resilience and adaptability in meeting and surpassing revenue goals.
Looking ahead to the fiscal year 2024, Bangura expressed optimism regarding the NRA’s performance, setting an ambitious target of 14.972 billion Old Leones. She underscored the importance of continuous collaboration with government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance and Parliament, to ensure sustained growth and financial stability for Sierra Leone.
In line with the Finance Act of 2023, Bangura reaffirmed the NRA’s commitment to enhancing revenue collection processes and implementing digitalized monitoring systems. She assured Sierra Leoneans that her administration would work tirelessly to optimize NRA systems and procedures, thus bolstering revenue generation and economic development across the country.
As Sierra Leone navigates through ongoing challenges and strives for economic recovery and growth, the NRA’s dedication to its mandate remains steadfast, promising a brighter financial future for the nation.
