In a bold move to enforce tax compliance, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) has temporarily sealed off the offices of two major government agencies the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA).
The enforcement operation occurred on Thursday morning, when NRA officials moved swiftly to close the Electricity House on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, which houses EDSA, as well as the SLRSA headquarters. Staff and management at both locations were ordered to vacate the premises immediately.
According to the NRA, the action was carried out under its legal mandate to recover overdue tax liabilities owed to the government. Official figures show that EDSA owes the state a total of NLe 328,396,305.03 (Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Five Leones and Three Cents). SLRSA, meanwhile, reportedly owes NLe 15,336,611.76 (Fifteen Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Eleven Leones and Seventy-Six Cents).
An NRA spokesperson, speaking to the press shortly after the enforcement, emphasized that the move was not intended as punishment, but rather as a measure to promote transparency, accountability, and sound fiscal management. “These enforcement actions are standard procedures when tax obligations remain unsettled for extended periods,” the official stated. “We remain committed to dialogue and cooperation with all public and private institutions and encourage the prompt settlement of outstanding debts.”
The closure of these two agencies has raised public concerns, given their critical roles in electricity distribution and road safety regulation. While it remains unclear how long the offices will remain closed, sources suggest that negotiations are already underway between the NRA and the affected institutions.
This development highlights the NRA’s renewed determination to ensure that all entities including government bodies adhere strictly to tax regulations. Analysts suggest that this enforcement action may serve as a wake-up call to other public institutions with unresolved tax issues.
As discussions continue, the public awaits a swift resolution to restore vital services and return operations to normal.