By: Fatou Krubally
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) on Saturday inaugurated a newly constructed Domestic Tax Office and staff residence in Jarra Soma, marking a major expansion of revenue services in the Lower River Region.
The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Seedy Keita, who described the new edifice as “a reaffirmation of government’s commitment to strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation across all regions.”
Addressing the gathering, Minister Keita said the commissioning of the Soma Revenue House represents more than the opening of a public building it signals government’s continued efforts to decentralize essential services and make tax administration more accessible to citizens.
“A robust domestic revenue system is indispensable to our national development,” he said. “It is through domestic revenue that government finances education, health services, security, food systems, and infrastructure. This building reflects our collective work to modernize tax administration and improve fiscal governance.”
He praised GRA’s “transformational leadership” under Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, noting that the authority has become “a powerhouse of revenue mobilisation and a centre of excellence even beyond The Gambia.”
CG Darboe: ‘A vision that began in 2022 now stands as reality’
Commissioner General Darboe welcomed officials and community members to Soma, explaining that the new tax office fulfilled a long-standing need in the region. For decades, GRA staff operated from rented offices and lived in rented houses a situation he said was not befitting a national revenue institution.
“The vision for this building was conceived in 2022,” he said. “We wanted a modern workplace for taxpayers and a dignified living environment for our staff. Today, that vision stands proudly before us.”
Constructed by AK Construction Ltd under GAMWORKS supervision, the project cost D16 million, with an additional D3 million spent on high-standard furnishing. Darboe emphasized that the entire cost was fully funded by GRA through its carefully managed subvention.
The three-storey structure contains offices, meeting rooms, a reception area, and five fully equipped staff apartments. It also provides office space for the State Intelligence Service (SIS) to support inter-agency cooperation.
A growing national infrastructure footprint
Darboe said the Soma Revenue House is part of GRA’s expanding infrastructure program. Recent achievements include extensions to the Revenue Houses in Banjul and Kanifing, completion of the Banjul Revenue House Annex in 2022, and the construction of a modern Customs Post in Tanji in 2023.
He revealed that construction of a new Brikama Tax Office will begin soon and that plans are underway for a two-storey customs complex in Amdallai.
Given the scale of on-going reforms, Darboe appealed for an increase in GRA’s government subvention to sustain the authority’s development drive.
Community response and recognition
Speaking on behalf of the Lower River Region Governor, Police Commissioner Mustapha Ndong called the building “timely and necessary,” noting Soma’s strategic importance. Jarra West Chief Alhagie Yaya Jarjusey urged residents to embrace their tax responsibilities, saying national development depends on citizens’ contributions.
Representatives of GAMWORKS and AK Construction also expressed pride in delivering the project.
The new Soma Domestic Tax Office is expected to significantly improve service delivery and strengthen revenue mobilisation in the region.
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By: Fatou Krubally The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) on Saturday inaugurated a newly constructed Domestic Tax Office and staff…
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