The United States Embassy near Monrovia donates IT equipment valued at US$100,000 to the Liberia Revenue Authority.
By Bridgett Milton
Monrovia, Liberia, October 4, 2024—The United States Embassy in Liberia has donated thirty high-class laptops and accessories valued at Hundred Thousand United States Dollars to the Liberia Revenue Authority to enhance revenue collection.
The donation is part of USAID’s Local Empowerment for Accountability and Decentralization (LEAD) Activity.
Speaking during the donation at the LRA Head Office in Paynesville on Thursday, October 3, 2024, United States Ambassador to Liberia Mark Toner said the laptops and accessories are aimed at strengthening the Government of Liberia’s efforts to strengthen its tax administration.
Ambassador Toner notes that as Liberia prepares to transition from goods and services tax to value-added tax, this gesture will play a pivotal role in improving auditors’ operations.
He said the laptops will also play a key role in tax collection and help move the country forward.
“A robust tax system is essential for any nation’s development. By improving the LRA’s capacity to collect taxes more efficiently, we are boosting revenue and supporting improvements in Liberia’s public services–whether in healthcare, education, or infrastructure. However, we need to ensure revenue transparency and accountability so that resources can be effectively utilized for the country’s development. Citizens must see the tangible benefits of their taxes. Our shared goal is to see domestic revenue increase from $700 million to $1 billion by 2027”, Amb. Toner explains.
The Ambassador says the U.S. Government is proud to support Liberia in this important transition to VAT, and thru through the LEAD Activity, America will continue to work closely with the LRA, particularly its Domestic Tax Department, to ensure the successful implementation of VAT, adding “This support will include training and capacity building for staff and field offices, helping to create a more efficient and transparent tax system.
The United States Envoy continues that the donated equipment will play a key role in improving operational efficiency and accountability and helping build public trust in the Revenue Authority.
The equipment donated includes 30 laptops, one 8-channel Network Video Recorder for a POE Security Camera System, eight Dome Cameras, two American Power Conversion Uninterrupted Power Supplies, an Environmental Monitoring System for the Data Center, and a Veeam Data Platform.
Each of the 30 pieces of laptops contain processor up to 4.8GH 12 code and 16GB memory, 1terabyte memory storage and window 11 operating system.
It also has a 2021 Microsoft Office along with CCTV mini solution, 8 cameras and 4K resolution and a storage capacity of 2 terabytes.
Receiving the donation, the Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Dorbor Jallah, lauds the U.S. Embassy for the kind gesture.
He highlights the long existing relationship between Liberia and the United States that has helped in strengthening domestic revenue in Liberia.
CG Jallah notes that support from the U.S. government and other international partners has contributed greatly to extensive growth in the mobilized revenue sector.
He underscores that from the more than US$700 million in the national budget, only US$40 million in resources is from international partners, attributing the improvement of domestic revenue generation to support from the U.S. government and other partners. Editing by Jonathan Browne
