IPNEWS: The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and other revenue-generating ministries and agencies of government today held talks with a high-powered African Development Bank (AfDB) Consultation Mission to Liberia.

In the meeting held at the LRA headquarters in Paynesville, Commissioner General Thomas Doe Nah outlined the progress the Tax Authority has made over the years in growing the revenue from 400 million to about 700 million. The CG, among others, mentioned the transformation and automation of tax payment systems and processes as the engines driving the LRA toward the billion-dollar target.

He also spoke of the LRA Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) Strategy which highlights a sustainable roadmap to accelerate revenue growth in Liberia.

CG Nah said “We have developed a DRM strategy, but need support to boost a full implementation process. This program will help the government to become more reliant on domestic revenues and less dependent on donor aid”.

The CG described the visitation and stakeholders’ discussions under the canopy of the AfDB as “an energizer” and an “opportunity” to discuss challenges and prospects around the advancement and achievement of the country’s DRM strategy.

Relevant revenue-generating entities including the Ministries of Transport, Mines and Energy, Public Works, Labor as well as the National Investment Commission, Liberia Immigration Services, National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority, Liberia Fire Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency attended the meeting.

The discussions were held within the context of the Bank’s current CSP for Liberia, covering the period 2019-2023.

The March 19-24 AfDB Mission is focusing on the Bank’s engagement in Liberia, through the holding of talks and assessing the impact of its interventions, and understanding the strategic direction of Liberia. The delegation is also visiting sites of select Bank-funded projects to assess performance.