Gambia Revenue Authority Addresses Audit Concerns Over Customs Scanning Fees

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has clarified its role in the collection of customs scanning fees following an audit that highlighted discrepancies in exchange rate application.

During an interface with the Finance and Public Accounts Committee of the Gambian legislature, GRA officials explained that they do not directly collect the scanning fees, but rather oversee the process.  The interface brought together officials from the government, GRA, Accountant General’s Department amongst a host of top officials of the government.

The clarification came after the Auditor General’s management letter on the government’s audited accounts noted variances caused by the use of weekly exchange rates rather than daily rates for fee calculation, resulting in potential weaknesses in revenue reporting.

The Auditor General, Cherno Sowe, recommended that the authority ensure correct rates are applied according to the daily valuation rate issued by the Central Bank of the Gambia, for all scanning fee payments to prevent miscalculations and improve transparency. GRA management acknowledged the observation but emphasized that it does not have the mandate to determine the rates applied in the fee collection process.

Bakary  Touray Jr