Essa Mbye Faal has said that the Barrow government’s proposed plan to increase tax in 2024 “would sink Gambians into deeper poverty”.

Faal, the former lead counsel of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission and presidential contender, said in his new year’s message that increasing taxes would make many Gambians poorer.   

“This is tax-and-spend or slashes and burn economics. We cannot continue to raise taxes as a way out of our national conundrum. Our government must be visionary and pragmatic in our quest for economic development. Ways must be found to expand the pie by creating new sources of revenue generation instead of taxing already over-taxed people and entities,” Faal added.

According to him, national development must be anchored on a vision that is followed by pragmatic actions, adding that the government should increase opportunities for Gambians to access capital and do business.

“The more income generators we have, the more revenue the government collects. Create more opportunities for youth employment. Programs that will keep our youth gainfully employed can go a long way in not only increasing government revenue, but also reduce the constant outflow of our able bodied men and women to other countries. Not only is the back way, but the brain-drain is also killing our country,” he said.

Last year, President Adama Barrow hinted during his Meet-the-People tour that he planned to increase taxes in 2024. 

He added that his government aimed to collect 10 billion dalasis in tax revenues.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba