Mayor Lowe to Banjulians: We are more committed in transforming lives and livelihoods

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By ALIMATOU S BAJINKA

The Banjul City Council (BCC) in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has on Thursday, May 2 launched a digital revenue collection project called “Smart Cities Pilot Project.”

Tax collection is said to be challenging and time-consuming for tax collectors and governments.

Digital tax collection eases revenue collection for administrators and ease payment of taxes and levies for residents.

Rohey Malick Lowe, Mayor of Banjul, said she is out for transformation.

The Mayor assured Banjul City of the proper execution of this pilot project

“As the capital city we are more committed to transforming lives and livelihoods of Banjulians and by extension the people of The Gambia,” said Rohey Lowe.

She added: “I can proudly say that my team and I brought the dream to collect council taxes and levies digitally and this is no small feat but a huge one. We can only get better from here. We are proud and be rest assured we will develop on the gains of this pilot project and extend it to all council’s revenue generating inlets.”

Lowe said she is aware of the technological world and so cannot afford to be left behind in harnessing the gains internet and ICT present to everyday lives.

Aissata De, UNDP country representative expressed her excitement in UNDP’s support for The Gambia in digital evolution and the Gambia’s selection as one of four pilot countries for the 2020 smart cities pilot project especially Banjul City, the host council.

According to research, sufficient revenue collection is crucial to financing public goods and services.

It is indispensable for tax administrations to undertake digital transformation to enable successful and sustainable tax reforms, ensure proper taxation of the digital economy, and reduce the obstacles to compliance.