In delivering the budget speech, Finance Minister, Hon. Mamburay Njie, last Friday noted that it is pertinent and pleasing to communicate government’s intention to increase salaries by 50 percent and pensions by 100 percent effective January 2019-this strictly applied only to civil servants on the integrated pay scale.

This comes as a welcome news but coresspondingly prices of commodities are on the rise and the budget comes along with taxes that once again will be shouldered by consumers. According to the budget tax the Government would implement the following tax reform measures with effect from 1st January 2019: The excise tariff for new cars will be raised from 20 percent to 25 percent.

The tariff on commercial rent would be raised from 10 percent to 15 percent and all commercial rental contracts must be deposited with the Rent Tribunal. He further said all print media houses are now exempted from the payment of the National Education and Technical Training Levy (N.E.T.T). “With effect from 1st January 2019, medical expenses and tuition fees of all embassy staff will be contributory.