*NRA COMMISSIONER GENERAL calls on journalists to Help in Awareness campaign on TAX MOBILIZATION DRIVE

BY JONATHAN HINDOLO KURABU ESQ. (D CATALYST)

Determined to ensure increased domestic revenue generation and to foster amicable relationship between the National Revenue Authority(NRA), and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists(SLAJ), the Commissioner General, National Revenue Authority,Mrs.Jeneba Bangura has today April,30th,2024 at Shangri La in Freetown engaged cross section of media practitioners drawn from across the country.

Director, Corporate Services Department,NRA,Martina B. Egbenda,while stressing the importance of the media in tax mobilization,said the National Revenue Authority under the astute leadership of the current Commissioner General, recognizes the indispensable role of the media with a further description of being a vanguard and a bridge between the Public and the Government hence the compelling and justifiable need to explore opportunities for collaboration,shared insights, and collective goals.

President, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists,SLAJ,Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, commented on the timely nature of the gathering in the wake of looming allegations of missing funds, misinformation, disinformation and the need for Ministries, Department and Agencies including the Private Sector to forge strategic relationship with the media through regular engagements and the need for an open door policy for disclosure of information for media consumption.

On her part,the Commissioner General, National Revenue Authority,Mrs. Jeneba Bangura expressed profound appreciation to the Media practitioners for honouring their invitation amid onerous schedules.

She furthered that for increased domestic revenue generation, the media should work concertedly with NRA for tax mobilization.

She used the platform to educate the media practitioners present about some insightful major reforms geared towards revenue generation which amongst others include,Tax Stamp which widens tax base, increases domestic revenue mobilization, prevents goods from being smuggled, ensures market fairness, and protects consumers and the Fuel Marking which is geared towards controlling smuggled fuel in the market, ensures the right fuel is supplied and to control its distribution.

Mrs. Bangura committed her institution to open channels of communication, regular briefings, constructive dialogue and need for collaboration.

Media practitioners present, lauded the Commissioner General for the media engagement and encouraged her to help facilitate regular engagements with media practitioners on tax related courses.