The Gambia’s main revenue collection agency is increasingly gaining a reputation on the African continent as a go-to institution for learning of best practices as could be seen in the high-level study tours that officials of the Sierra Leone Revenue Authority and officials of various departments and agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria made to The Gambia in January and this month, respectively.
The high-level delegation from Nigeria is currently in The Gambia to learn how the country’s fuel marking system, which is being implemented by the GRA in partnership with SICPA-Gambia, was able to restore confidence in the fuel supply value chain and augment tax revenue. The system makes it easy for GRA to track and verify the authenticity of fuel along the supply chain, a development described as a change-maker in the country’s petroleum sector.
Dr. Jobson Owalefo, who led the Nigerian delegation to the GRA HQ in Banjul on Thursday, told reporters that the tour is a sequel to a proposal that SICPA-Gambia made to Nigeria on fuel integrity solution. He further explained:”And when we looked at it, we said “no” we did not have anything [like it] before in Nigeria and they [SICPA-Gambia] said “no” [and that] they are the leading technology partner of this solution across Africa. And we said before we can proceed with this project, let’s come and see and hear the story from our brothers in Africa. That was why I turned down the other four continents and I chose Africa, where we have similar concerns, similar systems, similar challenges and we have our own solutions the same way that can solve Nigeria’s problem.”
Dr. Owalefo stated that the delegation wants to understand, learn the standards that have been put in place and the legal framework developed to ensure The Gambia brings this solution to bear.
The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Hon. Yankuba Darboe, told a press conference on Thursday that “it is both fitting and gratifying that we now have the opportunity to reciprocate by sharing our lessons, experiences and best practices with our brothers and sisters from Nigeria”.
“We believe that regional cooperation is essential in addressing cross-border challenges such as smuggling and illicit trade. We hope your visit will be productive, insightful and beneficial. We stand ready to engage fully, share our experiences candidly and support your effort as you explore solutions that may be adapted to your own national context,” said the Gambia’s main revenue collection agency boss.
Smuggling and under-declaration have been hampering the Gambia’s fuel revenue and weakening trust along the supply chain.
Mr. Momodou Clarke Jarra, country manager of SICPA-Gambia, said the visit will offer an opportunity for open dialogue, practical observation over the coming days, adding that the delegation will see on firsthand how the system operates. The delegation, he stated, will engage with SICPA’s technical team, exchange views with relevant authorities and as well connect with end-users.
