By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Officer of Kenema City Council, Martin Kaindaneh has said that before the end of March, Council will introduce an electronic system for the payment of Taxes and Property rates.
He told Politico on the 11 March 2024 that the electronic system would upgrade and reform property tax collection.
“The electronic system will wipe out corruption on revenue collection of the council,’’ he said.
He stated that the electronic system would avoid seeing council staff on the streets collecting taxes, saying the new system would operate in different ways compared to the old system. He added that the introduction of the electronic system will help know the number of property owners through mobile phones.
The IEC officer further stated that the electronic system will help prevent corruption in the collection of revenue, ensure transparency, effectiveness and efficiency. He also said that the system will be sustainable because even when core staff are transferred to other councils, the system will continue.
He reiterated that the council has provided training for both junior and support staff to prevent future challenges and that the system will not permit anything on fraud, as it is an inbuilt system. He said that any attempt to interfere with the system will be detected and the individual will be easily identified.
He explained that the electronic system will allow the Mayor, Chief Administrators, and the Ministry of Finance to monitor the system, using the codes provided.
Kaindaneh said that they want to ensure all areas of collecting home revenue sources are explored. He appealed to residents of Kenema city to pay their taxes, while assuring them of development.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (13/03/24)
