Rwf6.4bn taxes collected from west in 2008

WESTERN PROVINCE

NYABIHU— Tax payers in Western Province have asked the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) to extend its regional offices nearer to the people, in order to reduce the distance traders move to clear taxes.

The tax payers made the appeal last Friday, during celebrations to mark the provincial Tax Payers’ Day, at Bigogwe Stadium in Nyabihu District.

The 8th Tax Payers Day which was celebrated under the theme ‘Partnership in trade development’, was marked with awards given to 13 best tax payers in the province.

At the meeting it was revealed that the province collected revenue amounting to Rwf 6.4 Billion last year.

Godfrey Kamuzinzi, the Private Sector Federation vice president in the province, said that there is need for the tax body to open offices nearer to the tax payers.

"Our tax payers need RRA offices extended close to their areas because some of them travel long journeys to pay taxes. This sometimes results into delays in beating their deadlines,” he said.

RRA’s Commissioner General in charge of quality assurance, Peter Ruyumbu, urged tax payers against tax evasion. He further noted  that the tax body is committed to building the capacity of those who contribute to the country’s development.

Celestin Kabahizi, the provincial governor, who presided over the function, called on residents to work hard while striving to  pay taxes which would ultimately  help the government minimise aid dependency.

"Our contribution to the national budget in the west is still low. We need to exceptionally work hard and support the country in its way out of aid dependency,” he said.

The day also coincided with the official inauguration of Rwf 400million modern market built at Mukamira in Nyabihu.

Financed by the Community Development Fund (CDF), the market is expected to serve traders from Rubavu, Ngororero, Musanze and beyond.

Jean Damascene Ndagijimana, the Mayor, noted that Nyabihu has got a lot of potential to contribute to the country’s growth by increasing tax collection.

"Now that this modern market is complete… we target to increase tax revenue collection since it will even attract traders from our neighbours,” he said. 

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