According to the National Revenue Authority (NRA), the recently completed border post at Jendema is providing measurable improvements in revenue collection, border security, and economic activity along the Sierra Leone-Liberia border.
At the National Civic Day Series in Pujehun District, Dr Philip Kargbo, Director of Research, Planning and Monitoring at the NRA, described the modern Jendema facility as a key step forward in the government’s drive to modernise revenue administration and better monitor cross-border movement. He informed attendees that the upgraded infrastructure has allowed the Authority to collect significantly more tax revenue at the border while also improving surveillance and control of goods and people moving across it.
Dr Kargbo framed the new post’s implementation as concrete proof of the government’s commitment to protecting national interests and improving public service delivery. He emphasised that, as donor support has declined sharply over the last two years, domestic revenue mobilisation has become increasingly important to sustaining government operations and funding national priorities.
“The development people see today, including roads and electricity, is largely made possible by taxes paid by citizens and businesses,” Dr Kargbo stated, noting that NRA revenues continue to fund critical development projects across the country. He highlighted visible benefits in Pujehun District, where domestically collected revenues have been used to fund road rehabilitation and electricity expansion.
Public education and engagement were key components of the NRA’s civic day participation. Dr Kargbo spoke with young people about the civic importance of taxation, encouraging them to request and keep Goods and Services Tax (GST) receipts whenever they make purchases. He explained how this simple practice improves tax compliance, transparency, and public accountability by creating a paper trail of taxable transactions.
Dr Kargbo also highlighted the link between fiscal discipline and economic opportunity. Regular tax compliance can increase access to public procurement and revenue-generating opportunities for businesses and individuals, as a tax clearance certificate is typically required to compete for government contracts.
Looking ahead, the NRA director announced plans to expand the Authority’s operational footprint. He stated that the NRA intends to establish an operational presence in Solima, which he describes as a strategic economic hub with high revenue potential. The move is part of the NRA’s broader nationwide expansion strategy to bring services closer to citizens, improve compliance, and generate new revenue.
The NRA will continue to reach out as a partner in the National Civic Day Series. Officials announced that they will continue the public tax education campaign at a town hall meeting in Pujehun on June 2, 2026, where they will educate the public on their tax rights and responsibilities, as well as the relationship between revenue collection and service delivery.
