The Minister of Regional Administrations, Lands and Traditional Rulers, has stressed the need for the citizenry to pay their taxes on time, with a view to ensuring what he called “rapid development in their communities.”

Lamin Waa Juwara was speaking Thursday in Farafenni during a meeting with local authorities and other stakeholders, as part of his ongoing nationwide tour.

His comments were triggered by the numerous concerns raised by the local authorities during the meeting. Chief among those concerns include the difficulties faced by the area councils in collecting taxes from the communities, disputes over land ownership; problems the local authorities maintained are pressing ones.

Responding to those concerns, Minister Juwara told them that his Ministry wants to see an effective functioning of the local authorities, while reiterating the need for taxes to be paid on time.

Juwara emphasised that taxes are very important for the development of any country. He lamented that most Gambians do not consider it as important despite their relentless urge to government for more developments in their communities.

Also speaking at the meeting, the governor of North Bank Region (NBR), Lamin Queen Jammeh, appealed to district heads and Alkalolou to ensure that farmers have access to lands for farming. Governor Jammeh urged the people in the region to avoid disputes over land and to ensure peace at all times.