11th March, 2025
The National Revenue Authority (NRA), through its Customs Service Department, held a stakeholder engagement at the Sanya Border Crossing Point, Tambaka Chiefdom, Karene District, led by Assistant Commissioner for Border Controls and Management, John Bernard Amara. This initiative aims to enhance stakeholder engagement to support customs staff in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and border control management.
In his address, Mr. Amara emphasized the importance of effective revenue collection and border control for national development, highlighting the crucial role customs authorities play in ensuring efficient duties and tax collection.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by customs officials, including smuggling, tax evasion, and a lack of cooperation from businesses and communities. The engagement aimed to foster a positive relationship between the NRA and the Sanya community, addressing these challenges collaboratively.
The event attracted attention from various security sector representatives, including the ONS, police, and army, as well as community stakeholders such as the Paramount Chief, Chiefdom Speaker, youth, and women leaders. During the meeting, community members expressed concerns regarding the customs staff at the Sanya Border Crossing Point, perceiving him as overly strict in his duties, which hindered engagement with stakeholders.
In response, Assistant Commissioner Amara clarified the role of customs officers and the significance of tax compliance. He encouraged the community to support the customs officer in the revenue collection efforts and urged the customs staff to collaborate amicably with community stakeholders and security personnel. Major Kallon from the RSLAF also called on the community to maintain peace and support government operations.
The community stakeholders expressed gratitude for the Assistant Commissioner’s intervention and pledged their cooperation with customs staff willing to engage positively. Following the engagement, Mr. Amara reached out to other checkpoints in the area, motivating them in their revenue collection and border control efforts, and held a brief meeting with Guinean security officials at the border, who appreciated the initiative to strengthen good neighborly relations. Effective border control and management are essential for maximizing revenue collection in Sierra Leone.
