In a series of engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Audit Service Sierra Leone on Tuesday 25th February 2025 met with the National Revenue Authority (NRA).
The meeting which took place at the conference hall of the Audit Service at the 12th Floor of the Freetown City Council Building on Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown, attracted sector heads of the NRA, the Acting Auditor General and management of the Audit Service. Sierra Leone.
In his opening remarks, the Acting Auditor General, Mr Abdul Aziz underscored the need for the NRA to step up operations in order to increase revenue generation to enhance effective service delivery for the people of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Abdul Aziz emphasised the importance of collaborative partnership between the ASSL and the NRA to effectively address issues hampering growth and development in their institution in order to promote national development. He considered the NRA as the breadbasket of the country that should close the loopholes and maximize tax collection from Large, Medium and Small Tax Offices in the country for better service delivery.
He said the audits conducted by the Audit Service Sierra Leone on the activities of the Authority on yearly basis, is to add value for increased revenue generation to complement the efforts of government.
He underlined the paradigm shift within the ASSL’s focus—moving from normal financial auditing practices to a more dynamic approach centered on service delivery that has direct impact on the lives of citizens.
In addition to the discussions, the meetings provided a platform for the NRA to express concerns and seek clarification on specific audit findings. This open dialogue is intended to cultivate a culture of accountability and continuous improvement for increased revenue generation by the Authority.
Crucially, the ASSL team presented insights into the audit process, discussing various irregularities identified in past reports. They provided guidance to NRA on strategies to overcome the challenges encountered when implementing audit recommendations.
Mr. Abdul Aziz reassured the NRA that audits are not intended as punitive measures or a “witch hunt” but as vital tools for national development, aimed at fostering accountability, enhancing financial management, value addition and ultimately improving service delivery to the populace.
During the meeting, Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority, Madam Jeneba Bangura pledged commitment that her institution will put mechanisms in place to increase revenue generation going forward, highlighting challenges relating to technological advancement.
She commended the Audit Service Sierra Leone for the initiative to engage her institution to map the way forward for a better Sierra Leone, and the values that have been added to the NRA over the years.
It could be recalled that the engagement of MDAs kicked off on Monday, 17th February 2025, with a comprehensive meeting with the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA). This was followed by sessions with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning.
During these pivotal meetings, Aiah Gbondo Tugbawa, Deputy Auditor General, warmly welcomed the various heads and teams from these MDAs. The primary objectives of these discussions were to assess the current status of implementing previous audit recommendations, address associated challenges and highlight developmental progress within their respective institutions.
Looking ahead, the breakfast meeting engagements will continue with various other MDAs, ensuring a systematic approach to the 2024 audit process. The meeting aims to instil a shared responsibility for performance and integrity across all levels of government, aligning with Sierra Leone’s short- and long-term goals for development.