President Koroma speaks & NRA stands tall and proud!!

On the occasion of the State Opening of the Third Session of the Third Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone in the Chamber of Parliament Building, President Koroma was very sincere in explaining some of the achievements of his government since it was elected some 25 months ago. He specifically spoke on his agenda for change. He spoke on the health sector, agriculture and a hoist of other developments. (Photo: Pa John Baimba Sesay)

He spoke however that they are faced many challenges ‘in implementing our Agenda’, but with perseverance and commitment to transform this country, they were able to deliver on many of the promises. With continued dedication and zeal, and in partnership with parliament, the private sector, our international partners, and with the support of our people, the President said, ‘we will deliver on the remaining issues’. We look forward to seeing that happen before the end of President Koroma’s first term in office.

But I was particularly happy regarding his position on the performance of the National Revenue Authority. These were his words on resource mobilization and governance “Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of Parliament, let me now turn to our efforts to secure the resources to finance the Agenda for Change and manage them responsibly. My government is very committed to reducing our dependence on foreign aid by increasing internally generated revenue. The National Revenue Authority is vital to this mobilization effort. Total Revenue collected by the Authority in the first half of 2009 exceeded Le.300 billion an increase of over Le.27 billion compared to the same period last year…’ The President has said it all and I need not restate the fact that, such statement by the President indicates that he has trust in the NRA. The NRA is very vital indeed to the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone.  That is why when it continues to generate hundreds of billions of Leone; it should be commended for such achievements.

Let us look at the pending Goods and Services Tax; there are plans to introduce the GST by January 1^st next year and President Koroma is also concerned about the GST. Hear him in Parliament: ‘There is no room for complacency. The Goods and Services Tax Unit has been strengthened, and the GST will be implemented in January 2010. The project to transform the Customs and Excise department in to a modern department is in its final stage. Once completed, it is expected to minimize human influence and discretion…” It is good and encouraging that the President has also stated that the Goods and Services Tax shall commence in January of next year. Now I need not overemphasis the importance of GST in the socio-economic development of the country.

The President himself, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma must be made to succeed and it is only when there are the needed resources that he can make it, and one way of generating those resources is by ensuring that state institutions like the NRA and others meet the challenges of post conflict Sierra Leone.  The NRA is well set and placed to ensure GST is commenced in January 2010. It has been meeting with, and registering business communities all over the country, and even as that is happening, it is also embarking on some kind of public education drive on GST. So the point is, the message has gone and people have started appreciating the importance attached to the whole idea of GST in Sierra Leone.

I am of the view that the words by the President on the National Revenue Authority will go a long way in cementing the courage within staff of the NBRA to continue to work hard, in generating revenue for the government. The NRA should now stand tall and proud that despite the criticism from ‘some’ quarters, the President is impressed with its performance over the years. Indeed, the NRA should stand tall and proud and must at the same time continue working hard in meeting the expectations of President Koroma of the people of this country. It should not be diverted from its attention.

Let us face a common fact here; the growth of Sierra Leone is tied to several factors, among them, but not limited to; the readiness among Sierra Leoneans to support public institutions. The decision to create these institutions was based on the view that there was need for us to reduce the level of dependence on foreign donors for the development of Sierra Leone. This, the President recently stated during the State Opening of Parliament.

Take a look at how Sierra Leone was, a decade or two ago when most of the institutional reforms we now enjoy   had not taken place; it was  difficult at the time for us to  advocate for a change in the perception among  people, in terms of striving hard to be economically independent. But that is totally a different scenario altogether today. This is because we now know there are institutions which could help ensure we are independent.  One of such is the NRA!! And the NRA has been performing extremely well!! Only if one attentively had listened to the speech of the President during the State Opening of Parliament, one will agree with my view on NRA.

The President has stated over and again that there is the need for us to work assiduously as a nation to ensure we reduce the level of dependence on the donor community. The National Revenue Authority happens to be one of many institutions created by government to enhance the socio-economic development of the country. And over the years, especially since its creation in 2002, the NRA has been meeting most of the economic needs of the government and country as a whole.

The NRA has continued to raise hundreds of billions of Leones for the smooth running of government; it has continued to ensure the level of dependence on foreign aid is reduced. Do a comparative analysis of the collection rate of the NRA between the first quarter of last year and this year, you will come to notice that there is vast improvement. This was even re-echoed by the President!! And the monies collected by the NRA are being used by government for the socio economic development of the country.

So there is every need for Sierra Leoneans and especially NRA’s valued taxpayers to be commended for their efforts in meeting the tax challenges of the time. It has not been easy, taking into account the current global crunch, but the fact is Sierra Leoneans have been able to overcome those challenges and have continued to ensure, taxes are paid to the NRA. I most humbly thank you.

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