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Sierra Leone News: African Leaders Commit to Former President Kabbah’s Legacy

President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah’s

Political leaders from across Africa have praised late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah’s legacy of peace and democracy.

Several leaders participated in talks and gave speeches all highlighting the achievements of the former President during the launch of a foundation in his memory.

The Ahmad Tejan Kabbah Foundation for Peace and Democracy was launched over the weekend in the presence of hundreds of guests at the Bintumani conference center in Freetown.

President Julius Maada Bio, who officially launched the foundation, spoke about President Kabbah’s legacy in finding a lasting peace for the war-torn country and setting up institutions to sustain this peace.

Bio, as a military leader and President Kabbah collaborated to start the country’s democratic history.

In 1996, Bio, then the military head of state, handed over the seat of government to a democratically elected President Kabbah. That handing over set the tone for today’s democracy, peace and stability in the country.

“In addition to appealing to our sense of unconditional patriotism, President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah was clear on the importance of building strong institutions as the key balusters of democracy and national cohesion,” President Bio said as part of his keynote speech.

Former President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, spoke about President Kabbah’s resilience in pursuing peace.

Sirleaf worked with the late president first at the United Nations before they both became presidents of their respective countries. Both leaders engaged extensively in efforts to end the civil war in their countries and build democratic institutions.

“In those days, we had to cross a river on a canoe. We were able to cross a river to get the idea of peace into the minds of all those who led the uprisings,” she recalled in a speech.

“As the Ahmad Tejan Kabbah Foundation for Peace and Democracy is launched today, we commend its vision to champion a holistic approach to peace, democracy and justice,” she added.

Madam Sirleaf was among high profile guests from governments and the UN system invited to the event. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who worked closely with Kabbah, described the late man as “human and humane” in nature.

Mr. Obasanjo couldn’t make it to Freetown but he addressed the audience via a pre-recorded video message, in which he appealed to Sierra Leoneans to emulate Kabbah’s attribute to maintaining the country’s hard earned peace.

Sunday’s launch also provided an opportunity for people from across the different political divides, who crossed paths with the former President, to interact. Speakers gave testimonies on how much the late President contributed to modern day Sierra Leone.

Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, the leader of the opposition National Grand Coalition in Parliament, remembers Kabbah for his courage. “He had to go out of his way indeed to be inclusive. He also went out of his way to please the opposition,” he said.

Sidi Mohamed Tunis, the leader of Sierra Leone Peoples Party in Parliament, has been in the House since 2002. As part of his experience, he recalled how much tolerance they had to show to members of the Revolutionary United Front, who were widely seen as architects of the brutal civil war in the country.

“I served in Parliament with people like Johnny Paul Koroma and others. We had to go out of our way to tolerate MPs from RUFP, even to our own discomfort sometimes,” Tunis said.

Some other speakers delved on how the country can continue President Kabbah’s legacy and build on it in the coming years.

Mayor of Freetown, Yvone Aki-Sawyer, said “We are very conscious that if you don’t have women in power then you have created the equal space. At the Freetown City Council, under the transform Freetown, we are ensuring we do all we can to help women empowerment.”

The late President made some remarkable contributions to bringing women in governance. Former Ambassador to Iran in the Kabbah administration, Haja Alari Cole, said he was the first president to form a gender ministry which is now called the Ministry of Social Welfare.

“He instituted the Ministry of Gender and he started the Micro-Finance for women. The way he epitomized women and the way he thought about getting women in position of authority shows he knew the importance of women in development,” she said.

Widow of the late President and the Chief Executive of the Ahmad Tejan Kabbah Foundation, Isata Jabie-Kabbah, said the foundation will seek to contribute to all the things President Kabbah stood for.

“This foundation is broad based. Firstly, we will uphold the former President’s legacy of peace, democracy, tolerance and national cohesion. These are what he was known for. So, this is going to be part of the work we will be doing. We will also engage in other programs like agriculture, empowerment of women, girl child education,” Madam Kabbah said.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: British National Dies Mysteriously in SL Mining?

Deceased: Jonathan Tarr

A British national, Jonathan Tarr died last Thursday in Sierra Leone after allegedly suffering a heart-attack.

young dad who sadly passed away suddenly while working out in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

The Derry native, who relocated to Whitechurch, Co Cork a number of years ago, was working with SL mining company in West Africa at the time of his death.

Jonathan was married to a local girl in north Cork and the pair had two young children together.

The well-liked family man had no previous health issues but suffered a heart-attack suddenly last week and died soon after.

Mr. Tarr was a former Defence Forces’ member and had previously been stationed in Collins Barracks, Cork.

Funeral arrangements for the young father are yet to be announced.

A post on RIP.ie reads: “Sadly missed by his heartbroken wife, children, parents Sean and Ethana (O’Neill), brother Justin, sisters Emma and Seana, stepmother Jackie, parents-in-law George and Catherine, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

“Dr. Gerard Murphy, his colleagues and friends in Lunsar and SL Mining especially Patrick, David, Gian Carlo, Greg, Tony, Adam, Shlomo, Dawo, Swida, Lib, Nafi and Hilton.”

 

Sierra Leone News: Slain Hannah Bockarie Witness Killed

Another sex worker was dumped on the same beach almost four years ago. Last seen alive on Monday last week, her body was discovered on the following day but the news only came to public attention on Monday.

A post-mortem carried out on a sex worker who was murdered in Sierra Leone after giving evidence in the trial for the murder of another sex worker.

Memuna Jabbie’s throat was slit and her naked body was dumped in a mangrove swamp along the Lumley Beach in the west of the capital, Freetown.

Another sex worker was dumped on the same beach almost four years ago.

Then, Hannah Bockarie was gang-raped before she was bludgeoned to death. Memuna and Hannah were best friends.

They were believed to have been together when Hannah was abducted 2015 and Memuna has been testifying in her murder trial.

Last seen alive on Monday last week, her body was discovered on the following day but the news only came to public attention on Monday.

Her sister, Salamatu Jabbie, says that Memuna had been locked up for initially refusing to testify because she was concerned for her safety but did eventually give evidence.

The police would not comment on the matter saying only that they were busy putting their facts together.

 

Sierra Leone News: Ex-DDR Boss Turns Minister of Planning

Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kaikai,

The former boss of National Commission for Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (NCDDR), who now doubles as the newly-approved Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kaikai, has subscribed to the Oath of Office before President Julius Maada Bio in accordance with Section 57 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

President Bio congratulated the new minister on his appointment and alerted him that although he was part of the government, he was coming in a different capacity with a stiff task ahead. He said that although the task ahead was a tall order, Dr Kaikai was meticulously chosen because of his experience and what he would bring to the new office.

“It is an uphill task to move Sierra Leone from where it is today to where we want it to be, but we have no doubt in your ability and sense of commitment to duty. So you are welcome to an extremely difficult ministry and I expect you to do all you can and you can always count on me to support you,” he said.

The Minister, on behalf of his family, thanked President Bio for the confidence reposed in him. He recalled that President Bio had given him a task to re-establish Sierra Leone’s relation at the global stage, which he said he had managed to accomplish as best as possible. He noted that he was pleased to come back home to serve in the new capacity and assured of his readiness to support the government.

“From my experience I know planning for the country, making sure that the plans are owned by the people and making sure that economic development is people-centred can be a bit challenging and required a whole change of mind-set. I want to assure you that I will do my utmost best to support your vision. Coming as a standalone ministry, brings lots of challenges but I am committed to the new task,” he ended.

Until his recent appointment, Dr. Kaikai was Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mission in New York, United States. It could also be recalled that he served in different capacities during the country’s transition period from war to peace. Among many other assignments, he served as Director of the National Commission for Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Tourism Minister Takes Radical Promotion to Canada 

Minister of Tourism and Culture Dr. Memunatu Pratt

Sierra Leone’s Tourism Minister has taken another robust tourism promotion and investment approach to a new niche Canada.

The Minister of Tourism and Culture Dr. Memunatu Pratt and her team are presently in Ottawa Canada.

Canada is another key tourist generating place that will manage tourism receipts and potentials that could be harnessed with a thorough partnership and cooperative approach.

The delegation arrived safe and ready to fully engage those who matters in society to press the right buttons to push the tourism machine for Sierra Leone.

Day one of the planned trip started with meetings and healthy discussions with major institutions that are key players in the Canada Tourism industry. Canada has 46 natural parks that attract over a billion tourists year from all over the world.

The meeting with Parks Canada started with a general overview from the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, who made a ground breaking presentation together with her team. During her presentation she made Parks Canada to understand that indeed they are there to learn, partner and have healthy cooperation in any form that will position Sierra Leone in a better footing in Tourism. She also said that Sierra Leone is a safe haven that is awaiting the right investments and healthy win- win partnerships especially for the tourism sector and even others in the country.

Parks Canada on the other hand, made a general expository of their successes and operations over the years, and reasons why they are called Parks Canada, as their contribution to national revenue generation is huge and they oversee 46 national parks that have huge returns on guest capacity and tourists receipt. These presentations were done by almost three experts in their field of operations.

Just after the presentations, the AG. General Manager-National Tourist Board, Madam Fatmata Abe- Osagie, in her statement focussed on the strategic approach in managing parks and enhance revenue generation and how these revenues must be shared with the institutions and government related agencies.

The Minister also presented a case that indeed Sierra Leone needs heathier partnerships and support in training, investment and any other means that aid the sector to position well.

The head of the Parks Canada team assured the team that their doors are opened anytime to see from which angle they could operate  if only the Global Economic Institute could make platform for Continuing collaboration as directed to Mr. Fergusson of GEI and Sherry.

This meeting ended with a general tour of the Ottawa Canal built in 1836 and spot view on the Bytowm Museum and water ways.

The next meeting took delegates to the Algonquin tourism and Hospitality University, to understand the dynamics of Tourism training and modern equipment and tourism curriculum planning.

The school has all it takes as a Tourism and hospitality school: a modern Amadeus Ticketing class room with update computers and a real booking system, a modern restaurant and culinary kitchen with recent equipment for students to have first- hand service training and delivery. This was viewed by the team to see how it could be replicated to Sierra Leone.

These meetings were indeed essential for the delegation to understand best industry practices and first- hand experience on the trend of tourism and related issues.

 

 

 

 

Sierra Leone News: MPs Revoke State of Emergency on Rape

The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Wednesday 19th June 2019 revoked the State of Emergency on Rape in line with the relevant provisions of Act No. 6 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

In light of the above, relative to the revocation of the State of Emergency on Rape, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis moved that pursuant to Section 29 (13) of the said Constitution; “Parliament revokes the declaration of the State of Public Emergency Regarding Rape and Sexual Violence”, made by President Bio and published in the gazette, dated 19th February 2019 and ratified by Parliament on Friday 22nd February 2019.

Consequently, the Bill entitled “The Sexual Offences Amendment Act 2019” is now before Parliament for consideration.

In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Wednesday 19th June 2019 debated and approved the Second Report of its Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis.

Following his approval, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu congratulated Dr. Kaikai on his appointment as the new Minister of Economic Planning and Development and called on him to use his national and international experience for the development of Sierra Leone.

The following presidential nominee were approved by Parliament:

I. Dr. Francis Mustapha Kaikai-Minister of Economic Planning and Development

Members of Parliament who contributed to the motion implored Dr. Kaikai in light of the experience he had gathered over the years both in and out of the country to be used for the development of the country.

 

Sierra Leone News: WAEC & Africell Launch Electronic Payment System

On Thursday 20th June 2019, the West African Examinations Council in partnership with Africell launched its electronic payment services for both entries and scratch cards at the mobile company’s Siaka Stevens Street Customer Care Centre in Central Freetown, commonly known as ‘ODION’. This system, through the use of Africell Money, will relieve students from the hassles of purchasing scratch cards and registrations for exams.

Speaking during the launching ceremony, the Public Affairs Officer of WAEC, Sallieu M. Kamara, expressed delight in the partnership with Africell, adding that this will reduce the time taken by students to purchase forms and make entries into the up-coming private exams this year and will enable those who have taken exams to get their results on line without having to purchase scratch cards. He stated that initially WAEC started with the system where students obtained forms from WAEC offices, but realised the constraints faced by students as well as parents. They then moved on to the sale of entry cards for the examinations and the sale of scratch cards. This system caused students to lose huge sums of money. With the new system, the Electronic Payment Services, “students can now relax in the comfort of their homes and get a pin for their registration for WASSCE”, the Director said.

Africell’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Joe Abass Bangura, said that this launch is its latest service in partnership with WAEC. He stated that this will allow students to register for examinations and check their results using their Africell Money wallet in their phones. This will save them the time and additional costs incurred to travel to WAEC offices to purchase scratch cards and trek to internet cafes to complete their transactions. He stated that with the service, students with Africell Money will be able to purchase their WAEC Pin directly from their mobile phones at no extra charge. 2 Pins will be offered, one for checking results and the other to register for exams. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Be registered for Africell Money and have the correct amount in your account.

Step 2: Dial *161£ to access the Africell Money Menu

Step 3: Select option 3: Bill Payment

Step 4: Select option 6: WAEC

Step 5: Select the Pin that you want to buy

Step 6: Confirm your selection by entering your Africell Money Pin.

  • You will receive your PIN by SMS along with the Transaction information.
  • This PIN can then be used to access the WAEC platform.

NOTE: THIS SERVICE IS MEANT FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. AGENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE TOKENS ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS. THEY WILL NEED TO CASH IN FOR THE STUDENT AND THE STUDENT WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION FROM THEIR OWN AFRICELL MONEY ACCOUNT.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Surgeons in Action and Hernia International Doctors undertake free Surgery

On Sunday 16th June, 2019 a team of 10 doctors arrived in Sierra Leone led by Dr. Cesar Ramtrez from Spain to provide free surgical operation to hundreds of Sierra Leoneans. The surgeries are being done under the umbrella of Surgeons in Action and Hernia International and the surgical operation started on the16th of June, 2019 and will run up to the 21st of June 2019, at the Connaught and Police hospitals in Freetown

Speaking to this medium, Dr. Cesar Ramtrez, leader of the host of Doctors, disclosed that this one week surgical operation in the country is geared towards providing free surgical operation and over 300 kg of medicines and surgical materials worth over fifty thousand dollars to hundreds of Sierra Leoneans.

He further added that the host of Doctors namely; Dr. Teresa Butren, Dr. Jose M Moran, Dr. Hermeunda Pardeuas, and Dr. Guadawre Moreno. Three Anaesthetists; Dr. Sandra Casares, Dr. Beatrice Fort, Dr. Salvatore Catania and two nurses; Francis Gomez and Silvestra Barrena, have been to many other countries including Liberia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South American and Asian countries, where they have been providing free surgical operationss. But this is their first time in Sierra Leone.

He note that we have good doctors who are passionate about their career and ready to learn in order to perform the same operation they are doing, if they are empowered in their career they can do great things

He ended by calling on the government of Sierra Leone to empower more doctors, as he said; our country has good potentials doctors’ good operating theatres, considering other hospitals.

 

 

 

 

 

Sierra Leone News: SOCFIN Corporate Tasks are Incredible

With all the multi-national companies operating in Sierra Leone respective Sierra Leoneans are still equating which companies that can match the Corporate Social Responsibilities of Socfin Agricultural Company.

Despite the baseless and unfounded attack by Civil Society Organizations against the operation of the Agricultural Company in Sahn-Malen Chiefdom the tireless demonstration by the company should be applauded by the Sierra Leoneans

Before now, little has been said about the potential of the agricultural sector in revenue mobilization for the country as export rate was low. But the involvement of foreign direct investors like Socfin Agricultural Company (SAC) has helped the government to realize huge revenue from the sector through export duties.

The impact of Socfin on the economy was recently captured by the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa’s 2018 Budget Statement and Economic and Financial policies for the Financial year 2019 in the Well of Sierra Leone Parliament on paragraph 19 which states, “…the performance of the external sector improved during the first half of 2018. Total value of exports for the period January to June 2018 is estimated at US$518.8 million. The sharp increase in exports is accounted for primarily by the export of palm oil by SOCFIN Agricultural Company…”

The Corporate Social Responsibilities of the Socfin Agricultural Company is second to none; the Member of Parliament should proffered solution to the company on behalf of his constituents.

The Member of Parliament should know that Socfin was never a fly-by-night company that was established through the back-door, but a legitimate one that went through the nitty-gritty of the laws of Sierra Leone. Any attack on Socfin is a direct attack on the Government and by extension; this could have the tendency to undermine the clarion call for investors.

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE COMPANY’S  CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTIES

Going beyond corporate social responsibility, Socfin continues to invest significant amount of United State Dollars in the following sectors.

Agriculture: In order to support the people of Sahn Malen in agriculture, Socfin has been directly involved in the yearly cultivation of 600 acres of boli-land with floating rice varieties for people within the company’s operation, yearly distribution of 800 bushels of seed rice for inland valley swamp cultivation, distribution of 351 bushels of groundnut seeds to 16 groups of women in Malen Chiefdom.

The construction of four fish ponds, one in Kpangba, one in Gboyama, one in Jumbu and one in Senehun, the supply of 135 bundles of fishing nets with their accessories to four fishing communities; Gangama, Hongai, Massao and Kortumahun in Malen Chiefdom are all part of Socfin’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Health Sector: Providing medical facility in some parts of the country remains a challenge for the Government. People used to walk far distances from the district to major towns for medical services. Seeing this as a challenge, Socfin Agricultural Company has invested lots of money in the rehabilitation and supply of furniture to Niahun Clinic. The reconstruction and electrification of Sengema Health Quarters, Electrification of Sengema, Taninahun and Bendu Clinics has been done single handedly by Socfin.

Supply of Hospital beds to Niahun, Sengema, Taninahun and Bendu Clinics and supply of furniture to Sengema Clinic has also been done by Socfin.

The availability of ambulance services for Malen Community with all expenses paid for by the company. The construction of one facility at Sahn Bemoc Centre and the provision of 24 hours electricity and water supply to the Sahn Bemoc

Education: The 30-35 literacy rate of Sierra Leone is far below other countries in the sub-region. This is because majority of children in Sierra Leone cannot get access to schools within their localities. Changing such a narration requires not only the intervention of Government, but also the private sector. Even before the Proclamation of the Free Quality Education by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio last year, Socfin has invested enough money in education in the Chiefdom, such as the construction of the new Bendu and Mallay primary schools. Kortumahun primary school, Sinjo primary school, the rehabilitation of Malen Junior secondary school and Kassay primary school, Besides the construction of these schools, the company also provided them with learning materials to facilitate teaching. Also sanitation facilities were provided by the rehabilitating water supply and the development of modern toilet facilities for these schools.

Payment of stipends to 9 teachers who were not on Government payroll and 2 security personnel in Malen Junior Secondary School, one teacher in RC School in Sahn and one teacher in Bendu Primary School.

Payment of scholarship to 220 students; amounting to Le83, 000,000 (Eighty- three Million Leones) for BECE Students with aggregate 25 and below from Malen Junior Secondary School,

Support of transport and feeding to BECE Students taking examination in Pujehun has been done by Socfin.

Support of transport and feeding to NPSE Pupils and their teachers in Socfin’s operational areas that were taking examination in Sahn is part of the company’s CSR.

Other support to education include, the rehabilitation of Malen Junior Staff Quarters, financial support to all schools during the June 16th Day of the African.

Micro Finance: In order to support the growth of small scale/ medium enterprise in the chiefdom, Socfin has been providing micro finance to 102 petty traders in 27 communities in Malen Chiefdom with over 200 Million Leones as seed money.

Water and Sanitation: Socfin has provided water-wells with hand pumps and latrines in all its operational areas which have helped reduce the outbreak of cholera in the chiefdom.

Infrastructure:

The chiefdom that used to be a moribund place with less economic activity has now been the hub for job seekers, not only from the district, but also from other parts of the country.

 

Sierra Leone News: NRA Boss Talks Tough

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The National Revenue Authority (NRA) engaged a cross section of the media, print and electronic, on the 19th June 2019 at their Wellington Street conference hall in order to update them on the strides so far made, reforms that have been rolled out, achievements scored as well as some of the challenges they are grappling with.

Chairing the press conference, Jeneba Bangura who happens to be the Deputy Commissioner General thanked all for leaving their busy schedules to attend, going further to introduce the various Heads of Departments and representatives of the Authority.

In his statement, the Commissioner General of NRA, Dr. Samuel Gibao, disclosed that President Julius Maada Bio appointed him to serve in his current capacity on the 5th June 2018 to provide leadership for the country’s tax administration.

He highlighted that prior to that he has worked for the NRA before adding that when he was appointed he knew exactly what to do to affect the current reforms they are rolling out.

“After one year, this year, we are meeting the media for the first time with good tidings of a renewed chronicle on account of our leadership of the NRA and I am proud to come back to the media to say we are on the path to situating this institution as a modern public institution of excellence in Sierra Leone,” the Commissioner General underscored.

He noted that in a little over one year they quickly effected an institutional audit and they identified huge challenges of financial constraints with outstanding arrears to suppliers , a grossly understaffed management and officers , office accommodation, procurement bottlenecks and a host of others.

Jibao revealed how the Board, Management and Staff have been committed in stabilizing the situation adding that the conference is meant to showcase their ever increasing revenue collection since they took oversight of the institution.

He informed that the NRA recorded revenue increase by 36% over 2017 in 2018. “The revenue GDP ratio increased by 1.5% which is not only historical but comparable with any high performing revenue collecting country around the world,” he proudly stated, furthering that the IMF and the Government of Sierra Leone are impressed at the level at which the institution is exceeding all the targets set for it over the last one year.

The Commissioner-General pointed out that they have filled out 70% of senior Management positions underscoring the important position of Deputy Commissioner General. He stated how the integrity of the institution has been questioned in many quarters saying they have reconstituted and made effective the disciplinary committee that preside over reported staff corruption cases.

“The relationship between NRA and the Ministry of Finance has improved significantly and this has improved tax administration as well as policy formulation,” Jibao intimated, adding that staff welfare has been enhanced.

Dr. Philip Kargbo, Director of Monitoring, Research and Planning, during a power-point presentation dilated on the NRA reforms that are in progress. He gave a brief background of the NRA and made mention of a new reform called ASYCUDA World which he said replaced the ASYCUDA ++.Dr. Philip highlighted that it is a web-based advance version that comes with many benefits and functionalities

“The ASYCUDA World was rolled out at the main seaport on the 21st January 2019 and it was done to SALPOST and the Lungi International Airport with the hope that same will be done at Gbalamuya,” he told newsmen and stated that it makes it possible for importers to clear their goods in a faster manner, pointing out how an importer can even be at home and do his transaction without any interface as well as improving transparency.

The Director mentioned another reform which he referred to as ITAS, which he said is a web-based system for domestic tax administration with many benefits to the taxpayer, NRA and the Government. He said this innovation makes it possible for an integrated tax system through which taxpayers can fill and pay taxes online thereby preventing queuing and waste of time. Dr Kargbo stated that data verification is currently underway to update the tax register which will be migrated to ITAS.

He also revealed that they have put in place an Electronic Cash Register  (ECR/EFIS), which is an electronic fiscal invoicing device system designed for sales data capture and reporting, very beneficial to revenue generation and enhanced business accounting as well as stock management.

He also recounted other reforms before mentioning their recent achievements, which includes staff capacity building, integrity improvement, improved relationship with stakeholders and financial management.

Dr. Kargbo disclosed that from 1st January to 31st May 2019 the NRA raised Le2.229 rtillion,36.5% higher than same period in 2017 and higher than what was collected for the whole first half of 2017 by Le240 billion with June collection yet to come in.

In terms of challenges he mentioned inadequate accommodation, need for an ICT Training Lab, managing multiple reforms concurrently, satisfying Government’s urgent need for revenues, while pursuing medium term reforms concurrently and a challenging economy, including slower economic growth and slow recovery from the iron ore sector.

Questions and answers climaxed the press conference.

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