The Tema sector of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) amassed revenue of over 1.2 trillion cedis last year, exceeding its target by a whooping 167.3 billion cedis.
It also bagged 994.2 billion cedis on behalf of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Service and about 70.8 billion cedis as inspection fees, bringing total revenue collected for the period to over 2.3 trillion cedis.
Mr John K. Oklu, Assistant Commissioner in-charge of the Tema Collection announced this at the end of year get-together and awards night for Customs Officers at Tema on Saturday.
He attributed the remarkable success to effective control and monitoring measures put in place, hard work and commitment on the part of the officers and a solid foundation laid by his predecessors. He said a comparative analysis of the revenue figures for the period from 1997 to 2000 revealed that revenue collection last year was a record.
Mr Oklu said as an institution charged with the collection of over 50 percent of the total government revenue, it was quite obvious that their performance would be judged on their ability to achieve targets.
He said the Tema collection, which was by far the largest contributor to the national revenue, had a greater responsibility to perform towards the attainment of the objectives of the service.
Mr Oklu commended the officers for their vigilance, which enable them to detect numerous offences and discrepancies at their various sections, adding, "The good work of the Special Operations Unit and Loading Task Force also deserve to be mentioned."
He said the projection for the future was to improve their efficiency through the automation of CEPS' operations, up-grading the skills and aptitude of officers, increasing staff strength and the provision of office equipment and other logistics to enhance performance.
In a New Year message read on his behalf, Mr Isaac Kofi Ntiamoah, Commissioner of CEPS said management has undertaken to review the clearance procedure to bring about greater efficiency.
He said CEPS would implement a new computer programme to replace the ASYCUDA system by the middle of this year, adding, the new system was aimed at meeting the ever-growing demands of international trade and globalisation.
Mr Ntiamoah said the new system would bring about transparency in the present customs regulations and practices and limit the opportunities for fraud and fiscal evasion.
He said there was no serious indication of immediate staff lay-offs but charged them to avail themselves available opportunities to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills to enable them meet the challenges posed by the new system.
Mr Ntiamoah also reminded them that the NPP government's concept of "Golden Age of Business" and "Zero tolerance for corruption" had a direct bearing on the Service.
The message called on Customs officers to ensure increased efficiency and quality service at the ports and the country's entry points and especially minimise or eliminate all bureaucratic impediments in international trade.
It urged customs officers to tone down their inordinate desire for wealth, distorted values and materialistic approach to life. Mr Ntiamoah cautioned them against corruption, saying it was a serious crime with devastating consequences, which hamper economic growth and undermine the effectiveness of investment.
In another development, the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) mobilised over 9.1 billion cedis last year, exceeding its revenue target by 129.4 million cedis, Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh, Tema Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) announced at an end-of-year get-together and prize awards ceremony for the staff and members of the assembly at the weekend.
He commended the staff of the Treasury Department for performing creditably in revenue mobilisation to support development projects and expressed the hope that the zeal would be maintained.
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