KARONGI- During the last financial year 2009/2010 which ended two months ago, the Western province surpassed the targeted income from revenue collections.

Statistics released by Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) indicate that the three districts of Nyamasheke, Rusizi and Rubavu were the best revenue collectors while Karongi and Ngororero districts were still underperforming.

Total domestic tax and customs revenue from cross-border trade amounts to 8.9 billion instead of 6.6 billion as earlier anticipated.

While presenting the figures to local leaders in the western province last week, Peter Ruyumbu, the RRA’s commissioner in charge of quality assurance, attributed the relatively better performance to an improved business environment.

"The improved business relations with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo  (DRC) and internal business awareness of the local community played a major role in the good performance in tax collections,” Ruyumbu said.

He appealed to local leaders to watch out for smuggling as this retards the region’s financial performance which in turn negatively affects the country’s economic development.

Ruyumbu revealed that this year, targets were even higher and joint efforts were required in order to achieve the projections.

The Executive Secretary of Western Province, Paul Jabo, called on district leaderships and advisory councils to empower and increase the capacity of financial management committees as a way of increasing domestic taxes.

"These committees are fundamental tools in improving the economic status of the population,” Jabo said.

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