Capitol Hill, Monrovia – James Dorbor Jallah, Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), says the projected increase in domestic revenue generation this fiscal year is a clear indication that Liberia is on the right track.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Speaking at the opening of the 2024 budget hearing, Jallah highlighted that although the overall projected budget for 2024 decreased by US$55.8 million compared to last fiscal year’s revised budget of US$715.9 million, the rise in domestic revenue showcases an effective revenue generation effort.

“The Liberia Revenue Authority, fully cognizant of the uncertainties triggered by the 2023 electoral process, navigated the landscape with a collection of US$715.9 Million, thereby falling short of the revised budget by US$55.8 Million. However, amid this shortfall, I am pleased to report that our domestic revenue collection stood resilient at US$611.9 Million, exceeding collections from all preceding years, except for fiscal year 2022,” Dorbor said.

He emphasized that this achievement is significant and highlights the effectiveness of the country’s revenue mobilization efforts, despite persistent challenges, particularly regarding State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) consistently falling short of projections and issues with the misuse of Duty-free privileges.

“As we embark on these hearings, it is crucial to inject realism into the revenue forecasting for SOEs and scrutinize the extent of revenue foregone through tax exemptions and waivers,” he added.

The LRA Commissioner General also expressed unwavering confidence in achieving the lawful revenue target for fiscal year 2024 but noted that this optimism relies on the support and collaboration of the Legislature.

He emphasized the urgent need for rehabilitating dilapidated rural tax and customs offices, essential for the effective decentralization of revenue collection.

Dorbor highlighted the importance of identifying critical areas with significant revenue potential, such as transitioning from the current GST regime to a VAT regime with a broader tax base, as GST generates less than 3% of GDP.

Reflecting on the past fiscal year, Dorbor mentioned that at the beginning of fiscal year 2023, the Legislature approved a revenue budget of US$782.9 million, later revised to US$771.7 million following a midyear review.

Also speaking at the hearing, Montserrado County District #16 Representative, Dixon W. Seboe, chairman of the Joint Budget Committee of the 55th Legislature, reiterated the Committee’s commitment to implementing their strategies.

The Joint Budget Committee comprises Committees on Ways, Means, and Development Planning, and the Public Accounts & Expenditure from both the House of Representatives and Senate.

Finance and Development Planning Minister Boima Kamara expressed government’s optimism about expanding economic growth to its targeted US$1 billion.

MONROVIA – Accountability Lab Liberia takes great pride in congratulating its 2018 national integrity icon, Mr. James Dorbor Jallah, on being nominated and confirmed as the fourth Commissioner General for the Liberia Revenue Authority (the LRA).

President Joseph Nyumah Boakai nominated Icon James Dorbor Jallah to lead the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), an institution tasked with managing and upholding revenue laws to assess, collect, audit, and account for all national revenues, as well as enable lawful international trade and customs border management and enforcement. His appointment was made on Wednesday, 24th January, and a week later (Friday, 1st February 2024), he was confirmed by the Liberian Senate.

According to Mr. W. Lawrence Yealue, II, Country Director of Accountability Lab Liberia, the appointment of Icon Jallah indicates his committed hard work, integrity, and accountability demonstrated in previous positions he has served.

He continued by saying that the appointment is laudable and a bright example for all hardworking Civil Servants who are ambitious to advance their career through their exemplified work in the public sector. It is also a boost for the Accountability Lab Integrity Icons campaign worldwide and here in Liberia, which since 2015 has worked incredibly hard to shine the spotlight on active citizens working incredibly hard in the public sector and contributing to the growth and development of Liberia, despite the many challenges related to ‘doing the right thing’ in this country.

Therefore, Mr. Yealue calls on all young Liberians currently serving and those being called to serve in the public sector to abandon the idea of trying to enrich themselves overnight and work with integrity toward building a just and better Liberia for all.

Icon James Dorbor Jallah is an astute public servant but has also worked in the private sector as the Carter Center’s national representative in Liberia before being appointed to the LRA. In this role, he managed and arranged the organization’s activities in the country. Additionally, he was Commission General at the Public Procurement Concessions Commission (PPCC), where he was nominated and recognized as an Accountability Lab Liberia Integrity Icon. Icon James Dorbor Jallah has maintained his commitment to operating with honesty and integrity in the face of social pressure while managing the University of Liberia Testing and Evaluation Center before leading the PPCC.

Accountability Lab Liberia is optimistic that Icon Jallah will continue to serve and lead with integrity in his new position. The Lab wishes him all the best as he serves his country.

Monrovia – The Progressive Liberians Network for Development (PLND) has praised President Joseph Boakai for the nomination of James Dorbor Jallah to the Liberia Revenue Authority.

In a release, the Executive Director of the Progressive Liberians Network for Development, Melvin Sloh Doweh said the confirmation of Mr. Jallah will serve as a beacon of hope for the enhancement of revenue generation.

According to the group, Mr. Jallah years of experience in both the private and public sector is an added value to what President Boakai expects of his lieutenants towards transforming human livelihood and enhancing national development.

Doweh said: “Our institution is a testimonial to the effective and efficient workings of Hon. Jallah especially his stewardship as former Executive Director of Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) and that of the Carter Center Liberia.”

Also, the group is calling on the Senate to confirm Mr. Jallah adding that his past workings is a testament of good leadership practices.

“We are calling on the confirmation committees in the 55th National Legislature to do leadership correctness through coordination and confirm the LRA appointee to begin execution of his administrative and operational duties with impact for success,” Doweh said.

He added: “Under the stewardship of Mr. Jallah, legal revenue will be collected from prospective revenue sources to beef up anticipated budgets projection.”