By: Aruna Kamara (BO)
The Vice Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Traders Union in Bo District, Esther Pendema has said that she was happy to hear from the National Revenue Authority that they are looking into the alleged over-taxation of goods bought from Guinea.
She made this statement in an interview with this medium after a one-day dialogue session in Bo for stakeholders, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on the integrated tax administration system, the modern computer system that automates end to end tax processes. It was organized by the National Revenue Authority.
“I am encouraging women traders to pay tax so that the money can be used for the development of the country but there is grumbling about the three ways payment to NRA when goods are bought from Guinea,” she Lament.
According to her, traders pay to customs at Kambia, and Port Loko and when they get to Bo city they are bound to pay, while NRA is saying it is unfair and will look into the issue.
The Deputy Commissioner of the National Revenue Authority, Jeneba Bangura said that they were in Bo for a business dialogue session for stakeholders, Small and Medium Enterprises and it was supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in collaboration with the Chambers of Commerce to roll out the launch of the non-tax revenue app to make tax payment easier, be it in court, National Civil Registration Authority, and Immigration among others.
She underscored the participatory process that provides the opportunity to gather and leverage concerns on the partnership, adding that “at a very short notice the traders came out and as an Authority we are happy about it.”
Madam Jeneba Bangura said that they came not only to learn but to tell them our concerns and we have made it crystal clear to them that we do not put GST on Rice and Pharmaceuticals among others and we will continue to engage them to enhance robust revenue generation drive.
Jusu Sheriff, a trader in Bo noted that it was a healthy talk between the NRA and the traders and they are happy about such engagement and requested regular engagement of such nature so that they will have a clear understanding of the payment of taxes.
“We are so far pleased with the development a stride of the current government and it’s out of the taxes we are seeing such tangible development in the country and we want to encourage every Sierra Leonean to pay tax,” he said.
The payment of tax, Mr. Sherriff said should not be politicized and it is expected from every government to deliver on its promises to the citizenry and it was part of the campaign manifesto of President Bio that when he takes over, he will embark on robust revenue drive in order to relax on a little bit of donor dependency for the development of the country.
According to him, advanced countries including America and UK are developing because the people are committed to the payment of taxes and in fact, these advanced economies give support to African countries to develop.
“ If you move to America you are bound to pay tax but why Sierra Leonean are reneging on paying tax we want to see the development of the country,” Mr. Sherriff said, “adding that it is good that NRA is commended for being so committed to the revenue generation amidst the strike of COVID and other Global crises”.