Monrovia, Liberia – The Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), James Dorbor Jallah, and his legal representative, Cllr. Negbalee Warner, held a discussion with the Leadership of the Honorable House of Representatives on Monday, March 25, on Capitol Hill.
The peaceful conference was preceded by a threat from the House to put Jallah in jail if he did not sign duty-free for two cars. Yesterday, they invited him to appear before them on their requests for duty-free items at the port.
Every year, members of the House of Representatives receive two cars free of charge from the government without contributing any money. Unverified rumors, however, suggested that Jallah was breaking his word and may be considering eliminating the lawmakers’ duty-free benefits.
After the meeting on Monday, the Commissioner General acknowledged that the LRA had misunderstood the law and apologized for denying lawmakers the Revenue Code of 2000’s duty-free benefits. This was in agreement with the Ministry of Justice.
The Commissioner General then pledged to abide by the legislation, which has given legislators duty-free access ever since it was passed.
Duty-free privileges will continue to exist and enable legislators to address the philanthropic needs of their diverse constituency while in office.
Duty-free benefits have already been regulated by the Legislature to prevent exploitation of this essential legal concession and to guarantee that LRA gets the highest possible tax revenue.
The House of Representatives will not take any action to impede Liberia’s ability to collect legal revenue because it is dedicated to fostering accountability and transparency at all levels.
In its 2016 amendment, the Revenue Code of Liberia Act of 2000 reserved the provision of Section 1708 that grants legislators duty-free benefits for two vehicles per year.
While lawmakers who get enormous incomes and benefits off the money of Liberian tax gamers import their cars duty-free, many view it as unjust that regular Liberians must pay USD 1500 or more to free their car(s) at the Free Port of Monrovia.
