1st December, 2024
The National Revenue Authority (NRA) held its annual Board/Management Retreat from November 27 to 30, 2024, at LIA Hotel in Lungi, focusing on the theme “Strengthening Digitalization for Improved Revenue Generation.” The event brought together the Minister of Finance, board members, and senior management to discuss innovative digital strategies aimed at enhancing tax collection efficiency and addressing challenges in tax administration and domestic revenue mobilization.
In his keynote address at the opening, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, stressed the importance of leveraging technology, such as the Integrated Tax Administration Systems (ITAS), Product Tracing System (PTS), Fuel Integrity System (FIS), and NSOFT, to optimize revenue collection and further commended the leadership of the NRA for effectively implementing these reforms.
The Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Mr. Ibrahim Stevens, who is also a board member of the authority, underscored the crucial role the bank plays in managing government accounts, to which the NRA is a lead contributor. He highlighted the importance of revenue performance in achieving the government’s strategic goals, known as the “dream of H.E. and the 5 Big Game Changers.”
The Board Chairman, Mr. Kabineh M. Kallon, highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to modernize tax administration, especially in light of the growing e-commerce and digital transactions. He encouraged the management and staff to take ownership of their roles and account for their duties to ensure high revenue performance.
In her remarks, the Commissioner-General, Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, acknowledged that she took over the Authority at a crucial point characterized by uncertainty, but in the last one year the Authority has made significant strides in revenue targets, stabilized stakeholder/taxpayer engagement, and adopted digital solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Mrs. Bangura committed to transparency, empathy, and inclusion as the cornerstones of her management. She stressed the importance of investing in staff development, welfare, and fair policy application while urging bold collective action to achieve digital transformation.
The three-day retreat aimed at building an equitable and efficient organization, fostering sustainable revenue growth, and improving compliance.
©️PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND TAX EDUCATION UNIT
NATIONAL REVENUE AUTHORITY
RENSIS HOUSE, 5 GLOUCESTER STREET, FREETOWN
CALL CENTRE: 839 ORANGE/AFRICELL
