New DFID regional boss commends RRA achievements

Joy Hutcheon, the newly appointed Regional Director of the Department for International Development (DfID) – a United Kingdom unit, Thursday expressed satisfaction with the achievements that Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has reached over the past years. This was during the official’s visit to the tax body’s headquarters to discuss the different aspects of the programmes that DfID has with RRA. According to Hutcheon, most of the tax authorities that have been assisted through various DfID programmes have not managed to accomplish what RRA has proved to attain since its inception. “I joined DFID in 2003 and have always heard about the incredible work that is going on here. We are so proud of RRA’s success, especially as regards building a state-of-the-art system that contributes significantly to the Gross National Product. “The results here show that you have succeeded as a result of working with determination and energy and we can’t wait to celebrate the achievements of our partnership at the end of the year,” Hutcheon said with a smile. RRA Commissioner General, Mary Baine, thanked DfID for the continued support that ensured facilitation for the mentioned implemented achievements. Citing enhanced capacity, new state-of-the-art systems that have been installed at customs departments and the domestic taxes systems that offer quicker services, Baine attributed such accomplishments to UK’s assistance. According to her, DfID started its operations in Rwanda in 1997 before RRA was established, and after the authority was set up; the UK department has since supported the tax body with about 24 million pounds in 6 phases. “This support has not only enabled us to expand our quality of service across the country, it has also enabled us to get a strong human resource base that is in line with the job positions. “Initially we had these positions filled by DFID personnel, but they worked closely with the local counterparts to build capacity and now these positions are filled by Rwandans,” Baine noted. Officials noted that through various programmes DFID has promoted the country’s sustainable development. Ends