By Mariama Jallow
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources, and also National Assembly Matters, Dr. Bamba Banja, has underscored the significance of paying tax, noting it’s very crucial in the country’s national development.
The Fisheries Ministry’s Number 2 made the points during a recent exclusive interview with this reporter at his office in Banjul, where he also disclosed the generation of over D90M by his ministry.
According to Dr. Banja, the fisheries sector generates revenue annually, from license fees, fine payments from arrested vessels, and 10 percent landing fees. He disclosed that principally, there are three areas that their Ministry and its line Department generate revenues and it varies, annually.
He also disclosed that the Ministry of Fisheries in 2019 increased the license fees upward by 50 per cent, and that they made many arrests this year. As a result of the heavy fines imposed on those found wanting, PS Banja revealed that his Ministry had already generated revenue in excess of 90 million dalasi from January to date.
Hopeful that by the end of December 2019, the ministry could generate more than one hundred millions dalasi, the PS made it clear that, this is also independent of the funds his ministry is getting from sustainable fisheries partnership agreement. Dr. Banja pointed out also that, “Considering the agreement for sectoral support, the ministry is generating revenue in excess of D20 million, annually.”
He said the fisheries sector is contributing meaningfully towards the generation of the revenue and foreign exchange, adding that revenue is their policy’s objectives. Emphasizing the significance of people paying their taxes, and the fact that The Gambia is a tax-based economy, Dr. Banja justified that “we have to pay tax in order for us to be able to implement priority development programs”.
But Dr. Banja had a message for the Gambian authorities, as he advised the government to use the tax-payers money wisely, for the developing the country. He’s of the strong view that without tax, there would be no development.
While stressing the importance of business operators and individuals fulfilling their tax obligations, Dr. Banja reminded those in authority that, it’s equally important that the expectations and needs of the taxpayers are met.
