By Fatou Dahaba
In an effort to acknowledge and honor the most compliant taxpayers in the country, The Gambia Revenue Authority hosted its 6th annual Taxpayer’s Awards Ceremony on Saturday. At this event, they recognized institutions and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment towards fulfilling their civic duty by paying taxes regularly without fail.
The President, Adama Barrow, presided over the event at Kairaba Beach Hotel, bringing together key players in the country’s economy and business sector.
The Gambia’s economy heavily relies on the taxes collected from businesses, which plays a crucial role in fueling its growth and development.
The recent presentation of awards by the Authority to 33 deserving tax-compliant entities and individuals is a testament to its dedication to fostering growth and development in the nation. The Awards serve as a powerful motivator for others to follow in their footsteps and strive for excellence.
Addressing the gathering yesterday, President Adama Barrow commended the awardees for playing their quarter in national development through tax payment.
He acknowledged that the primary funding of the government’s infrastructure and essential services all rely on the taxes taxpayers pay, adding that their contributions power the engine of the government, thus helping them to invest in vital national programs and building a brighter future for all Gambians.
“Since the inception of my administration in 2017, we have witnessed a remarkable increase of 72 percent in revenue collection from 19.13 million in 2017 to 15.79 billion in 2023. This is evidence for sound fiscal policies on domestic revenue mobilization.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to create a conducive environment for all businesses, and we will, in infrastructure, improve access to finance and promote a level playing ground for all, that way we can make Gambia a home for investment and economic resilient.”
President Barrow reaffirms his government’s commitment to enabling a more attractive environment for businesses, noting their contributions go beyond the taxes they pay.
Yankuba Darboe, The Commissioner General of The Gambia Revenue Authority, said the event signifies the understanding between the GRA and the business community and the compliance efforts of individuals and businesses contributing significantly to the nation’s revenue collection.
“We are all witness to the various infrastructure projects currently ongoing in the country. Please know that most of these projects are directly funded with tax revenue. We therefore deem it necessary to celebrate and recognize the taxpayers providing the resources to fund these projects.”
The CG revealed that GRA achieved the 2023 revenue target of 15. 2 billion set by the government.
“The Authority, during the year under review, was tasked by the government to collect D15.21 billion, rising from D12.78 billion in 2022. As of 31st December 2023, the Authority collected the sum of D15. 794 billion, a 4% or GMD 581.70 million collection above the target and representing 24% normal growth in revenue performance or an absolute variance of D3.01 billion compared to the 2022 performance.”
Commissioner Darboe said the government’s increased annual revenue target for 2024 stood at D19 billion, and he is confident that this amount will be raised through teamwork and dedication from his staff.
He said all these targets would not be met without the tremendous contributions of taxpayers to national development.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy Keita, said they fund vital government programs through taxpayers’ extreme contributions.
He said the day is set to recognize taxpayers’ impact on nation-building while referring to the initiative as laudable.
“Your tax provides funding for government programs, capital projects, and vital services that uplift the lives of Gambians and propel them to economic prosperity.”
Mrs. Lucy M. Faye, chairperson of the Board of Directors, highlights the outstanding performance of GRA in revenue collection and remains in full compliance to meet the government’s revenue target 2024.
At the event, Africell (G) Ltd was awarded the large mist tax compliance of the year 2023, and Jah Oil Company was awarded the most tax compliance in oil marketing of the year 2023.
ST won the Formal Sector Award Category in URR Taxpayer of the Year 2023. Armitage Senior Secondary School won George’s Technical Junior & Senior Secondary School and CRR, LRR won by Caritas Gambia, and NBR went to ST. Michael’s Junior & Senior Secondary School, while the WCR award goes to Sandalee Oil Trading Company Limited.
Sylva’s Car Wash won the Informal Sector Award Category 2023, and Hassan Kassem won the Small Taxpayer Award Category.
The Foreign Exchange Bureau Category goes to Yonna Enterprise, and Malak Chemist Co. Ltd clinched the Healthcare Award Category.
The Agro-Industry Award Category goes to Royal Enterprise Ltd, and the Micro Finance Award Category was awarded to Reliance Financial Services.
The Media House Taxpayer Award goes to Core Broadcasting & Multimedia Company Ltd, known as West Coast Radio. At the same time, My Supermarket won the Supermarket Award Category.
Foresight Accountancy & Audit Partners won the Audit Accounting Firm Award Category, which was won by Foresight Accountancy & Audit Partners, and the Clearing Agent Category won by M. Sowe Clearing & Forwarding Agency.
Top Shop won the Media Taxpayer Award Category, and the Construction Award Category goes to Compagnie Sahélienne d’Entrepise (CSE).
Gambia National Insurance Company Ltd collected the Insurance Company Award Category, and African Information Technology Holding Company Ltd won the ITC Award Category.
The Rental Income Award Category goes to Becca Plaza, and the Domestic VAT Taxpayer category goes to Ida Denise Drammeh.
Castle Oil Ltd won the Paye Category, and the Hotel award category goes to Palma Rima Hotel.
The Public Enterprise category goes to the Gambia Ports Authority, and the Manufacturer category goes to Nessim Trading Company Ltd. The Basic Food Importer category goes to Shyben A. Madi and Sons Ltd.
The Bank Award category goes to EcoBank Gambia Ltd, and the Importer of the Year category goes to J and B Trading Company Ltd.
The Import VAT category goes to Futa Enterprise, and the GSM category goes to Qcell Gambia Ltd.
Tax is a critical component in the growth and development of any nation.
Therefore, timely payment of taxes also helps strengthen democracy, thus promoting the fundamental ideals of the rule of law.
