NRA and UNDP Launch Containerised Block Management Offices to Improve Taxpayer Access

The National Revenue Authority (NRA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has inaugurated new Block Management System (BMS) offices in the Western Area at Jui Junction. The launch, led by NRA Commissioner General Mrs Jeneba J. Bangura and UNDP officials, is a significant milestone in a three-year partnership to improve service delivery and outreach.
Mrs Bangura reflected on several tangible outcomes of the collaboration, including UNDP support for the NRA’s vehicle procurement system and the upcoming delivery of a water bowser. She stated that the new containerised BMS units will bring taxpayer services and education closer to communities, making interactions with the revenue authority more convenient and accessible. Speaking on behalf of the NRA Board and Management, she thanked UNDP for its ongoing support and encouraged continued collaboration to expand the initiative. Plans are already being developed to deploy additional containerised offices in Kono, Bo, Makeni, and Kenema as part of a larger effort to expand the program nationally.
Mr Fredrick Ampiah, UN Resident Representative, praised the NRA as a valuable UNDP partner and suggested that the BMS initiative could serve as a model for other countries looking to decentralise tax administration and strengthen public services.
On the operational side, NRA Commissioner for Domestic Taxes, Mr James B. Tengbeh, explained that the BMS offices will decentralise taxpayer services and strengthen outreach efforts by placing services where people live and work, lowering barriers to compliance and education.
Representatives from stakeholder groups such as the Tax Movement, the Commercial Bank Association, the Sierra Leone Importers Association, and the Western Area Rural District Traders Union praised the NRA-UNDP partnership, emphasising the anticipated benefits to businesses and communities as the BMS rollout progresses.