Some traders and business owners in the Freetown have closed their shops and businesses as they protest against the installation of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Goods and Services Tax Electronic Cash Register (ECR).

According to reports, the shops were closed as a result of the harsh economic policies of the government institution.

“The NRA, the main government income generating body has placed GST taxation on all shops and this has been protested by traders as killing the business sector, hence the strike,” a source stated.

Amadu Lamrana Bah reported that some traders in Freetown have closed down their shops in protest against the installation of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Goods and Services Tax Electronic Cash Register (ECR).

“This came after several disagreements between some business owners and the NRA on the installation of the ECR in Freetown,” he added.

Bah noted that, “Last week, the NRA Commissioner General, Dr. Samuel Jibao said the Goods and Services Tax is not charged on rice, flour, baby food, pharmaceuticals, and some other commodities. He said the Electronic Cash Register is not for every business as being claimed.

The Electronic Cash Register is a system designed to enable product to be sold at a retail outlet. Electronic Cash registers help large retail outlets track sales, Minimize register errors, collect inventory data and much more.

Section 25 (1,2&3) of FINANCE ACT 2018 gives the NRA the authority to install Electronic Fiscal devices in business premises.