Senegal/Local taxes - Dematerialization of collection procedures: constraints to be removed for Ytax

The experimentation of the dematerialization of local tax collection procedures called "Yelen Taxe" (Ytax) in the four test communes of Koumpentoum (Tamba), Kédougou, Bagadadji (Kolda) and Tanaff (Sédhiou), has produced results that are considered satisfactory. However, many constraints were noted in its implementation.

The four test communes of Koumpentoum, located in the region of Tamba, Kédougou, Bagadadji, in the region of Kolda, and Tanaff, in Sédhiou, which have agreed to experiment with the dematerialization of local tax collection procedures called "Yelen Taxe" (Ytax), are rubbing their hands. which agreed to experiment with the dematerialization of local tax collection procedures called "Yelen Taxe" (Ytax), are rubbing their hands. This tool has enabled them to obtain "a substantial improvement in communal revenue, compared to the traditional use of books". For example, the consultants, who presented the results of this pilot phase yesterday, reported an "increase of 86% for the municipality of Kédougou, 100% in Bagadadji, 255% in Koumpentoum and finally nearly 500% in Tanaff.

According to the director of the Local Governance for Development program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID Gold), which financed the project, "there has been a clear improvement in the quality of services. project, "a clear improvement in transparency and efficiency in the collection of taxes, as well as a strengthening of taxpayer civic-mindedness in the municipalities concerned. Jean-Michel Dufils also reports that "during various regional workshops, there was a real interest from local authorities to to extend this new system to other communes and to other types of local taxes such as the Cgu and other fixed fines".

But for its scaling up, a number of constraints will have to be removed. According to the regional treasurer of Tamba, the implementation of this pilot phase has encountered several obstacles. Among other things, Richard Toupane mentions the technical and technological adaptation of the application in local communities without electricity and with poor access to the Internet. "This is a constraint that should be removed to allow dematerialization at the level of all local authorities. Several communities are not electrified and not covered by the Internet network," explains the Treasury inspector. Who also notes a problem related to the detection and rapid management of attempts to circumvent the functionality of collection of electronic devices called Pda, the precariousness of agents collectors. "We cannot ask someone to mobilize financial resources for the local authority and not, in return, take into account the aspirations of this person in the context of his remuneration. The financial situation of these collectors must be reviewed. With regard to the management of performance bonuses, not only are there delays in payment, but also the rates remain low. The texts need to be reviewed, as they date from the 1960s and have never been reformed. These agents need to be motivated so that they can perform well. Performance is linked to the financial situation of these collectors. They need to be trained, but they also need to be valued. This is what will allow us to have very good results in the collection of local government revenues."
In terms of challenges, he emphasizes "the validation of the system, the change of behavior to adapt to the new option for an optimization of resources...".

Taking note, the Director of the Local Public Sector promises to put all these constraints on the table. Amaro Ntaby Badji assures that "if they are technical constraints, the technicians will take care of them, and if they are material constraints, all the actors concerned will be able to concentrate on the solutions to be proposed for the lifting of these constraints. If the constraints are related to our treasury services, we will be able to remove them very quickly and the whole system will be operational for all the players.
As a reminder, Ytax was proposed by Enda Ecopop as part of the consortium with Gold, its development and technical implementation are entirely financed by USAID funds.

Source: lequotidien.sn