Monrovia – The Country Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP Kamil Kamaluddeen has lauded officials of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for progressively managing the country’s revenue administration.
Mr. Kamaluddeen, paying a working visit at the LRA recently, said he was pleased with the progress and vision of the LRA, assuring the UNDP’s continuing support in making the Authority more efficient.
“This is really, really impressive. We have seen the level of organization, level of focus and also the level of results, and I have to congratulate you and your deputies. I am very excited about your work,” the UNDP Boss told LRA Commissioner General Elfrieda Stewart Tamba after she made a presentation on the progress, achievements, challenges and prospects of the tax-collecting entity.
Mr. Kamaluddeen said the UNDP will continue to support the LRA through what he described as a “partnership that will grow.” He said there were ongoing discussions between the LRA and the UNDP in areas of technical assistance and he would push the LRA’s case at headquarters as the UNDP is prepared to work with the LRA to serve better.
Commissioner General Tamba lauded the UNDP for its support including the provision of funding for a modern data center for the Liberia Revenue Authority. She stressed the need for more technical assistance and capacity building in enhancing professionalism, efficiency and the effectiveness of the LRA in administering the country’s revenue sector.
Mrs. Tamba indicated that the LRA is committed in achieving its mission of being a professional revenue administrator of international standard, and professionally, efficiently and successfully collecting all lawful revenues of Liberia as well as to facilitate legitimate trade and social protection for the country.
She said while the LRA as a new establishment has made some positive strides, there were many hefty challenges to counter. She identified fraud and corruption in the revenue system, weak management information system, low tax compliance from the public and the absence and e-filing system, e-payment, tax register as key revenue administering tools lacking in Liberia amongst several other revenue protection software infrastructure.
The LRA is, among others, seeking support of the UNDP to support for a national revenue summit as well as technical assistance for Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategy and the funding of airport scanner.