August 21, 2019
By Patrick Jaiah Kamara
Madam Bangura delivering her statement
In a bid to making revenue collection more effective and efficient at major international borders, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) has on Monday 19th August, introduced the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA WORLD) at the Gbalamuya Customs post in Kambia district.
According to ASYCUDA World Project Manager, Hamudan Y. Koroma, the SYCUDA World is being implemented with a view to reducing the cost of doing business both on the side of traders and Customs; reduce clearance time and avert some of the challenges experienced with ASYCUDA ++.
“This version can give customers the zeal to work with customs. It is an internet or web-based, meaning that, the server is accessed via the internet. External users do not necessarily need VPN or installation of client-software on their computers, as it used to be with the ASYCUDA ++, but need internet to access the system from anywhere as long as there is internet connectivity,” he explained.
He told the gathering which comprises security sector, chiefs, petty traders and exporters that the major reasons the government decided to introduce the ASYCUDA world is to make revenue collection data more efficient and effective.
He added that the system would help open the rest of Sierra Leone to the rest of the world as many African countries have already upgraded
While declaring the purpose of the meeting, Assistant Commissioner of Operations for the Customs Service Department, Kpana Conteh noted that the ASYCUDA WORLD would not only improve on revenue generation, but also facilitate the inter-state transit system within the ECOWAS sub region which was a requirement to be fulfilled by the country at the international Customs level.
The Local Unit Commander at Kambia police division,Ibrahim T. Tarawallie said they continue to provide the necessary support to NRA and discourage smugglers at the many crossing points between the and Guinea.
“Although Kambia is a place full of porous crossing points, we will do our best to ensure traders used the custom post. We will discourage smugglers to the latter. We will continue our usual patrols across the district,” he said.
He called on the NRA to share their email or phone numbers so that police and other vigilantes who usually patrol the porous points could swiftly called on the NRA and share the information.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Jeneba Kpakanya Bangura, the Deputy Commissioner General, who launched ASYCUDA World said prior, the system has been launched at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, Post Office, and Lungi International Airport.
“The NRA has embarked on several reforms. This is just one of them. This launching today will not stop here. It has to be roll out at other border crossing points. Currently, the customs office at Water Quay has launched a programe known as the in-house banking,” she said.
She said in order to reduce the delay at the Ports; they have brought the workers together with the view to reducing the delays at the customs.
She sated the “we have also brought eight banks together and we will later bring another six.