NRA COMMISSIONER GENERAL INFORMS JOURNALISTS IN BO, KENEMA AND MAKENI THAT THE 2022 FINANCE ACT MANDATES SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN TAXES FOR ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

The Commissioner General and a cross section of the Senior management of the National Revenue Authority has in a meeting informed Journalists that the 2022 Finance Act makes significant reduction in customs duties on essential commodities entering the country. He said products like Cement which was 20% is now 10%, iron rod which used to be 10% is now 5% and cooking gas which was 5% is now at a 0% rate and many other products.
Dr. Jibao said the Government of Sierra Leone is aware of the price hike in essential Commodities which is largely due to the uncertainties in the international trade market and the effect of the current pandemic. These factors he said have largely disrupted the global supply chain. He said Countries like China which is a key player in the global supply chain is still not opened to the rest of the world.
The Commissioner General, Dr. Samuel S. Jibao was speaking to members of the Print and Electronic Media in Bo, Kenema and Makeni.
During a radio discussion in Makeni and Bo the Commissioner General informed the Public about activities undertaken by the NRA, highlighting some of its challenges and major plans set aside for the 2022 operational year which he said is a year to consolidate the current reforms.
Dr. Jibao also made it clear in one of his statements at the Press conference in Bo and Makeni that compliance and transparency are the hallmarks that ensure increased revenue Mobilization at a relatively lower cost hence, as an Institution they will uphold that. The NRA Boss made it clear that the revenue to GDP increased from 12.3% in 2017 to 15.3 % in 2021 which is a 3%-point increase in four years. This according to him is a significant performance in revenue mobilization by every standard around the world.
He called on the media to support the popularization of the reforms especially the Electronic Cash Register System (ECR) and the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS).
Dr. Jibao said as partners in development, the media is a powerful tool in disseminating public information and promised to collaborate with the media especially those in the provinces.