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18.05.2007 General News

Takoradi CEPS to beat '07 target by 6 mths

18.05.2007 LISTEN
By Yaaba Yamikeh

All things being equal, the Takoradi collection point of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service is set to meet its entire target for this year next month, a clear 6 months before the appointed time. With just 3 percent of the year's target left, the Sector is well on course to double its revenue collection, with the 3 percent expected to be cleared by the end of June.

The Sector Commander, Anthony Sewor, who disclosed this at the collection"s maiden interaction with the newly appointed Commissioner of CEPS in Takoradi on Monday, said as at May 14, his Sector had collected over ¢385 billion as against ¢347bn mobilised during the same period last year.

This performance, he emphasised, has been achieved inspite of inadequate GCNet facilities coupled with lack of modern warehouses at the Takoradi Port.He said the sector, which has for the last three years found it very tough mobilising revenue, is performing creditably this year.

Commander Sewor said the sector has lined up a number of activities to further enhance revenue collection. These, he said, included the establishment of a daily monitoring system standard at the collection, as well as plans to start a special exercise on uncustomed vehicles come June.

Commander Sewor also disclosed plans by the Takoradi Collection to update the revenue mobilisation skills of its officers through a number of training programmes. He said officers who have not yet acquired any military training would also be required to do so at the Second Battalion of Infantry at Apremdo to sharpen their skills.

In his submission, the Commissioner of CEPS, Emmanuel Doku, said the impressive revenue mobilisation by the Takoradi Collection is an ample demonstration of its support for his administration.. He said the performance was also an indication that the Service which could not meet its national target last year, would have a different story to tell come December.

Commander Doku said his young administration has put in place a number of measures not only to enhance the operation of CEPS but also to raise its image.

He said these measures included the acquisition of sixty brand new pick-up vehicles and thirty computers to be distributed to all collection points throughout the country. Commissioner Doku said his administration has also embarked on an exercise to transfer the 443 Principal Collectors at all of its collection points to limber up the system.

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