NRA Commissioner General Raises Concern Over Lack of Permanent Headquarters

The Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Jeneba Bangura, has expressed concern over the institution’s continued lack of a permanent headquarters, describing the situation as financially burdensome and operationally inefficient.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Wake Up Sierra Leone on Africa Young Voices (AYV), Bangura said it is disappointing that the country’s primary revenue-generating institution operates without a central facility of its own.

“It is a disappointment for me that the NRA does not have a place we can call our home. We are scattered across different locations compared to other institutions, and this even confuses taxpayers. Many institutions have purpose-built headquarters performing central functions, but we are paying significant amounts in rent,” she stated.

According to Bangura, the absence of a unified headquarters has forced the NRA to operate from multiple rented facilities across different parts of the city. She noted that this arrangement creates logistical challenges and makes it more difficult for taxpayers to access services efficiently.

Taxpayers often have to move between offices for various services, leading to delays and inconvenience. The Commissioner General emphasized that establishing a centralized headquarters would improve coordination, enhance service delivery, and strengthen public confidence in the institution.

Beyond operational challenges, Bangura highlighted the financial implications of paying rent for multiple office spaces. She explained that such expenditure represents resources that could otherwise be invested in strengthening tax administration systems, advancing digital transformation, and building staff capacity.

She further observed that many public institutions operate from permanent headquarters, enabling them to streamline operations and reduce recurrent costs. Given the NRA’s critical role in domestic revenue mobilization and national development, she suggested that similar infrastructural support is necessary.

The NRA plays a central role in Sierra Leone’s economic stability by collecting taxes and customs duties that fund government operations, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and other essential public services.

As the country intensifies efforts to boost domestic revenue and reduce reliance on external support, stakeholders say investing in a permanent headquarters for the NRA would enhance institutional efficiency and demonstrate a commitment to strengthening public financial management.