Tanzania Revenue Authority chief urges customs agents to uphold professionalism

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Commissioner General Yusuph Juma Mwenda has urged customs agents to uphold professionalism and integrity in their daily operations to avoid engaging in corrupt practices.

Mr Mwenda made the statement on Thursday, August 1, 2024, during his meeting with members of the Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (Taffa) aimed at underscoring challenges impeding their activities.

The meeting was also intended to deliberate and come up with collective solutions to improve customs services and revenue collections.

Mr Mwenda noted that the authority was in the process of improving its systems to meet President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directives to increase revenue collections and tame corruption.

''We should strengthen our cooperation in addressing earmarked challenges to avoid freight delays," he said.

"Corruption has frequently been mentioned by clients, indicating that this vice is prevalent. I urge you to abandon such practices, as the authority is investing in enhancing its systems and service delivery in areas facing significant challenges," he added.

He called on the association to increase its collaboration with TRA to reduce cargo delays.

Mr Mwenda assured Taffa members that their views and challenges have been taken on board, noting that they will take to policymakers and relevant departments all those issues that are beyond their capabilities.

Taffa President Edward Urio stated that their cooperation with customs department officers has enabled the TRA to exceed its revenue collection targets for the 2023/2024 financial year.

“TRA Customs managed to exceed its revenue collection target due to increased cooperation with customs agents," he said.

Mr Urio said customs agents appreciate the fact that Mr Mwenda, who has just been appointed to the position, has allocated his valuable time to discuss various issues aimed at increasing tax collection in the country.

"We assure the TRA commissioner general that the new revenue collection target will be realised through our cooperation. This is because the target doesn't belong to the taxman alone, but rather to all revenue collection stakeholders in customs," he said.