Semlex biometric company resumes business after it settled D300,000 tax arrears to the Gambia Revenue Authority.

The Belgian-Gambian biometric company on Monday came under tough sanction by the country’s revenue collector for not paying taxes.

But Gambia Revenue Authority’s head of Cooperation and Public Affairs Ousman Bah said: “I can confirm to you that  Semlex after paying an amount of about 300,000 dalasi as tax arrears to the Gambia Revenue Authority has now resumed work and will start issuing national biometric identity cards to Gambians.”

However, Semlex was alleged to have lobbied on an exemption to pay tax in the country.

And Mr Bah said the power to exempt any company or individual from paying taxes rest only within the powers of the President.

“We will not relent to strengthen our efforts to make sure that a payment of tax is seriously taken by people and private companies for the development of the country,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba