This announcement comes at a time when the government has issued two executive orders to save what they have described as ‘the sorry state of the economy’. According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development they have made more success as a result of new financial measures.
The first executive order mandated the all government ministries, agencies and departments to put their money in to the consolidated revenue authority. The Financial Secretary said they have generated huge funds already from six agencies.
“The total amount transferred from April 9th to the 30th April 2018 is Le65.21 billion. These monies were collected from Petroleum Regulatory Agency, Petroleum Directorate, Road Maintenance Fund, Environmental Protection Agency, National Telecommunication Commission and Sierra Leone Maritime Administration.”
Despite the huge revenue generated, Financial Secretary and NRA Boss, Haja Kalla Kamara warned that everyone should apply cautions optimism with regards to projecting targets for the NRA. She however reassured the public of her agency’s commitment to generate more funds.
“I think it is a little premature to start making comparisons or projections for the year. But like always, the National Revenue Authority is committed to gathering more revenue this year than the previous ones,” Haja Kalla Kamara said.
Apart from revenue generation, the finance ministry also disclosed how much they have disbursed most of the monies that they have gathered so far. They say they have attempted to pay outstanding wages and arrears to government agencies.
The Financial Secretary disclosed that they have paid monies to agencies like the Anti- Corruption Commission, Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority and Audit Service among others.
In his disclosure, he mentioned that Le2.1 billion has been given to West African Examinations Council for the National Primary School Certificate Examination on Friday, Le2.0 billion as outstanding payment to the Anti Corruption Commission and a total of Le 17 billion to electricity supply and generation authorities to fix the frequent power outage.
MoFED authorities say that they are not planning to loosen these tight revenue mobilization and distribution measure anytime soon. This is part of a long term economic program that the government has launched.