By Foday Moriba Conteh
According to the National Revenue Authority (NRA), in a Press Release it issued dated the 19th July, 2022, on Tuesday, the 18th May 2021, the Global Times Newspaper ran a misleading publication in which it was purported that the institution’s Board and Management proposed to buy a piece of land for $2.8 Million.
The NRA says it turns out that the facts in the story were concocted to serve the interests of detractors aiming to bring down the good image of the institution.
In addition, the NRA mentioned that on Tuesday 19th July 2022, the Global Times Newspaper also published yet another misleading story on the same land issue with the caption, “Controversy Over NRA $ 1.8 Million Land”. The NRA, says, it views such publication as unfortunate, unfounded and has further reinforced its view of a media house that lacks credibility.
In trying to make clarifications, the NRA said firstly, the institution has never purchased “a one and half lot of land” for $1.8 Million underscoring that such a claim can only be made by ill-motivated individuals and ran by rogue media houses.
“We are an institution that takes into cognizance all Public Financial Management prudence and place high priority on taxpayers’ money which continues to be key consideration in our corporate negotiations,” the NRA further stated.
Secondly, the NRA says it owes all its achievements of the last four years to the harmony and camaraderie of both Board and Management of the institution stressing how the assumption of a “big split” between the Board and Management is a figment of one’s imagination stressing that let it be known that the institution frowns at such.
The mobilizing national entity stated that for the unsubstantiated publications it is also exploring other options amongst which may include litigation against the continuous publication of false information against the National Revenue Authority.
It concluded by stating that to such an end, they want to appeal to so called media professionals to seek clarifications on all matters pertaining to the NRA from the Public Affairs Unit or the Commissioner-General before publishing stories relating to the institution.
