Toothless tax law hamstrings Namra’s Shivute
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
Newly appointed Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra) commissioner Sam Shivute says he is currently powerless as he is still waiting on the enactment of the tax collection body’s Act.
Shivute made the comment when asked about the work being done to get the new establishment started.
The Namra Act is expected to be signed into law on 6 April, marking the dawn of a new era as far as tax revenue collection and its compliance is concerned.
The Act will be gazetted on 31 March.
“The Namra Act is not yet enacted. I don’t have tax powers yet,” Shivute said when asked about his first 100 days in office as the agency’s commissioner.
“I don’t have the authority to ask for information which in law is correct.”
He, however, said background work to get the agency on its feet was progressing well.
“The establishment is going well and we are busy with appointments. I can confirm that with regards to the set-up, we are on course. Before Namra becomes operational, I can only set up in the background,” he said.
Strong ethical foundations
Shivute was appointed as the agency’s first commissioner in September 2020. The agency, Shivute said, would be built on strong ethical foundations.
“Namra will be founded on a strong and ethical leadership foundation. A strong revenue service and customs administration is the fundamental cornerstone of an effective state and key enabler in government’s ability to fund expenditure and provide for its people,” he said.
He also promised to appoint people in the right positions at the agency.
“We will endeavour to have the right staff with the right skills and the right mindsets in the right positions. We will invest in our staff and ensure that they are duly capacitated so that they can be the best of the best at what they do.”
WINDHOEK
Newly appointed Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra) commissioner Sam Shivute says he is currently powerless as he is still waiting on the enactment of the tax collection body’s Act.
Shivute made the comment when asked about the work being done to get the new establishment started.
The Namra Act is expected to be signed into law on 6 April, marking the dawn of a new era as far as tax revenue collection and its compliance is concerned.
The Act will be gazetted on 31 March.
“The Namra Act is not yet enacted. I don’t have tax powers yet,” Shivute said when asked about his first 100 days in office as the agency’s commissioner.
“I don’t have the authority to ask for information which in law is correct.”
He, however, said background work to get the agency on its feet was progressing well.
“The establishment is going well and we are busy with appointments. I can confirm that with regards to the set-up, we are on course. Before Namra becomes operational, I can only set up in the background,” he said.
Strong ethical foundations
Shivute was appointed as the agency’s first commissioner in September 2020. The agency, Shivute said, would be built on strong ethical foundations.
“Namra will be founded on a strong and ethical leadership foundation. A strong revenue service and customs administration is the fundamental cornerstone of an effective state and key enabler in government’s ability to fund expenditure and provide for its people,” he said.
He also promised to appoint people in the right positions at the agency.
“We will endeavour to have the right staff with the right skills and the right mindsets in the right positions. We will invest in our staff and ensure that they are duly capacitated so that they can be the best of the best at what they do.”
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