The Commissioner General of Sierra Leone’s National Revenue Authority (NRA), Madam Jeneba Bangura, conducted a courtesy visit to the Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barlay, at her Tower Hill Office. The meeting focused on the vital need to collaborate with the NGO sector regarding Duty Free exemptions.
During the insightful discussions, both parties emphasized compliance with legislation to facilitate the efficient clearing of goods outlined in the 2023 Act. Following this meeting, the Commissioner General convened a session with NGO leaders and Country Directors to further engage on pertinent issues.
The engagement centered on raising awareness among NGO leadership and constituents regarding the Tax and Duty Free Exemption Act of 2023 and the new Finance Act of 2024. Discussions also addressed tax clearances, income and rent taxes, and streamlining clearing processes to mitigate delays.
Peter N. Sam-Kpakra, Development Secretary at MoPED, acknowledged the invaluable role NGOs play in national development and stressed the significance of addressing concerns such as tax waivers promptly.
Madam Jeneba Bangura highlighted the importance of taxpayer education, particularly for NGOs, underscoring the direct impact of legislation on their operations. She emphasized the need for clarity on the Duty Waiver Act of 2023 and introduced insights into the new Finance Act of 2024.
Moreover, she advocated for solutions to address challenges like demurrage costs and proposed the appointment of dedicated staff to facilitate tax clearance and registration processes.
Christian Kamara, Board Chair of SLANGO, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort between MoPED and NRA, emphasizing the importance of addressing key issues such as tax administration and clearing processes.
Eric Massallay, Director of NGO Affairs, pledged enhanced efforts to tackle duty waiver concerns and commended the Commissioner General for her unwavering support towards creating an enabling environment for NGOs.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continued dialogue and collaborative efforts to enhance efficiency and transparency within the NGO sector.
For media inquiries, the Ministry of Planning & Economic Development Communications Team through the Ministry’s official Facebook page and Twitter handle: @moped2023.
