Editorial

The Tax Commission report reveals that over D2 billion has been lost in revenue by the government due to inadequate revenue collection mechanisms, bribery and corruption and tax evasion.

This revelation by the Commission justifies its validity and again reassures Gambians that the leadership is still committed to the values of accountability and transparency. We are optimistic that the recommendations contained in the report would be given due consideration by the authorities. 

Whilst we applaud the Commission for a job well done, we further wish to reiterate the position of the leadership under whose directive the Commission was set up, that the corruption and misappropriation of public finance would not be tolerated in government. We also call on those in custody of sovereign national wealth to adhere to the standards of accountability and transparency at all times.

It is an open secret that corruption is an enemy of progress and development. In a society where corruption is the order of the day, public office becomes the mother of personal gains as development funds are diverted into channels that satisfy personal interest. Corruption allows inefficiency to persist and distorts the potential for growth.

It discourages foreign investment and corrodes the budgets allocated to public procurement that enable basic infrastructure in poverty stricken areas to be built; such as roads, schools and hospitals.Such a system only perpetuates underdevelopment. 

This explains why the new Gambia was built on the pillars of accountability and transparency.Since taking the mantle of leadership, the need to enhance public trust and confidence among the citizenry has been a central focus of President Jammeh’s policies. Moreover, the president realised that nation building relies on public support, on people's willingness to give time to causes they care about as well as their tacit goodwill towards the nation as a whole.

Since then, President Jammeh's battle against corruption has been known to all and sundry as every resident of The Gambia, citizens and non-citizens alike, are aware of 'Operation No Compromise'. In fact, it is no exaggeration to advance that our speedy success in development is due to President Jammeh's success in confronting corruption in his government.Today, the country is proud of good roads, hospitals, adequate water and electricity supply and a host of other development projects because the current leadership has engendered a transparent and accountable government.

However, the findings of the Tax Commission reveal that much more work needs to be done to make the country corruption free. What is therefore important is for our public trustees to work with the president to combat the menace of corruption in the country. Taking the president as a role model will go a long way in meeting our development targets.