NRA Holds Stakeholder Engagement at Sanya Border Crossing Point in Karene District

The National Revenue Authority (NRA), conducted a stakeholder engagement at the Sanya Border Crossing Point in Tambaka Chiefdom, Karene District, led by Assistant Commissioner for Border Controls and Management, John Bernard Amara.

This effort is to increase stakeholder participation to help customs officials with collecting taxes, facilitating trade, and border control management.

Mr. Amara talked on the necessity of good collection of taxes and border control for national growth, explaining the critical role customs authorities play in ensuring efficient duty and tax collection. He acknowledged the most serious issues faced by customs officials, such as trafficking, tax evasion, and a lack of collaboration from businesses and communities.

The engagement was to establish a healthy relationship between the NRA and the Sanya community while addressing these issues together. The event drew attention from members of the security sector, including the police, ONS, and Army, as well as stakeholders in the community such as the Paramount Chief, Chiefdom Speaker, and youth and women leaders.

Community members also shared their worries about the customs personnel at the Sanya Border Crossing Point, describing him as extremely rigid in his duties, which affected engagement with stakeholders.

Assistant Commissioner Amara stated the function of customs officers and the importance of taxation compliance. He urged the community to assist the customs officer in revenue collection operations and the customs officials to work cooperatively with community stakeholders and security officers.

Major Kallon of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces urged the community to uphold peace and support government activities. The community stakeholders thanked the Assistant Commissioner for his assistance and promised to work with customs workers who were eager to interact positively.

Following the engagement, Mr. Amara visited other checkpoints in the area to encourage them in their revenue collection and border control operations, and he met briefly with Guinean security officials at the border, who praised the endeavor to promote good neighborly relations. Sierra Leone’s revenue collection relies heavily on effective border control and management.