DAR ES SALAAM: SGA Guards (T) Ltd, a private security company has received a special award from Tanzania Revenue Authority after it emerged as the overall winner in the Tegeta Tax Region, being the most compliant and paying the highest amount of taxes in the year.
The Award was presented during the TRA Taxpayer’s Appreciation Day held at the weekend.
SGA Guards (T) Ltd emerged as the third largest taxpayer in the 2022 event and took the top position this year.
The event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Dotto Biteko, where he urged TRA to treat businesses as partners. SGA was commended for demonstrating that it was possible to do business well and comply with the tax laws.
While moderating the awards ceremony, TRA’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kayombo, explained that strict criteria was used to vet the winners in each category.
Among the key attributes include full self-declaration of correct taxes, payment of full taxes on time, paying the highest amount of tax, cooperating with TRA officers and opinion from the tax investigations unit.
While receiving the grand award, CPA Eric Sambu, the SGA Managing Director, appreciated the effort by TRA to recognize taxpayers.
He expressed that SGA was the first private security to set operations in the country in 1984 and he expressed joy that it continues setting pace in all fronts, four decades later.
“We champion the corporate citizenship through aligning our operations to ESG initiatives and this acknowledgment is expected to set a benchmark for other businesses in Tanzania, encouraging a culture of fiscal responsibility and transparency”, he added.
SGA’s Financial Controller, CPA Jonathan Geleta, explained that the award symbolizes SGA’s meticulous record-keeping and timely tax payments, underscoring the company’s positive impact on the nations revenue system.
“We pride ourselves in utmost transparency and full compliance, that has now been recognised as unrivalled in our region by none other than TRA”, he added.
SGA Guards is part of the SGA Group that has operated in Tanzania for 40 years and currently covers the entire country in provision of security services.
SGA presently employs over 5,000 Tanzanians across its network, in different departments.
In addition to providing employment opportunities to youth, SGA participates in many CSR activities across the country.
It partners with Tanzania Police Force in maintaining law and order in the country.
SGA has many ISO Certifications, including ISO 18788:2015, which sector specific and requires full compliance to country laws and regulations.
SGA is also a certified member of International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoCA).
This body, based in Switzerland, focuses on human rights and compliance with laws as well.
“We believe that upholding and sustaining these standards helps us to success. We urge the rest that you only do well by doing good.”, CPA Sambu concluded.
