By Saio Marrah
In a move to support the operations of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone has officially handed over two G.X.R Land Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicles to the NRA.
The handing-over ceremony was held at the UNDP Country Office in Freetown last Friday 19 January 2024, that saw the UN agency’s country representative, Fredrick Hans Ampiah, hand over the vehicles to the board chairperson of NRA, Tuma Adama Gento Kamara.
In his brief statement, Ampiah thanked NRA for the confidence they had in the UNDP for the partnership and the exchange they had gathered through their partnership.
The UNDP rep noted that the two entities had come a long way with many partnerships in development, and hoped this would be the beginning of a much deeper engagement.
He promised that in the following weeks, they would be discussing their yearly plans with the government’s agency, to explore various ways they can build on the ties.
After noting that NRA is a very important institution in the country, he said UNDP is looking forward to working with the authority in expanding into the informal sector and increasing their revenue base.
In an interview with Journalists, Ampiah noted that NRA is one of the first government institutions they are working with the country in that regard.
He said UNDP being a development organization, also provides development services to support the government in optimizing their services.
He said they are working with NRA not just to expand their revenue base but also enhance human capital, and operational and institutional capacities.
The handing over of the vehicles he said was to improve NRA’s operational capacity in reaching out to other institutions they are working with.
He said in many countries, UNDP works with governments at different levels by providing resources to address their development needs.
In her appreciation message, Madam Kamara noted that they started the project with UNDP some two years ago, which she said has yielded results.
She described the vehicles as fit for what was bargained for and that the UN agency has saved the government from spending lots of money, saying“and we do appreciate it.”
She said NRA will always be willing to partner with the UNDP.
She later told journalists that their collaboration with the UNDP in purchasing the vehicles has saved them about 45 percent of cost.
Copyright © 2024 (Politico (22/01/24)
