Dzodze-Penyi, Feb. 9, GNA - The Aflao Sector of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), collected 127.3 billion cedis being about 94 per cent of the targeted 135.16 billion cedis last year, representing a shortfall of 7.8 billion cedis or 5.8 per cent.
Mr Alexander Narh Okunor, Assistant Commissioner, in charge of the sector, who announced this at an Awards and Dinner Dance at Dzodze on Saturday said all collection points under the sector worked hard but blamed the inability to meet the target on what he called "unfavourable economic and social variables."
Mr Okunor said the rise in the exchange rate of the CFA Franc to the cedi, in real terms, reduced the capital base of the traders, thereby cutting the volume of goods they could import.
He also cited the bad nature of the Accra-Aflao road and armed attacks on travellers on the route as compelling several traders to use alternate routes outside the sector.
Mr Okunor said despite the shortfall, the sector chalked a major success last year by considerably reducing smuggling along the frontier it controls.
He commended the various collection points: Akanu, Havi, Kpoglu, Dabala and Aflao for their efforts in putting up accommodation and office facilities on their own to improve working conditions at the outposts.
Mr Okunor asked personnel to maintain cordial relations between the CEPS and other organisations working at the frontiers to enhance revenue collection and security.
He commended the CEPS Management for its support for the sector and appealed for at least two cross-country vehicles and communication gadgets to improve monitoring.
Mr Linus Koffie, Ketu District Chief Executive (DCE) who chaired the function said the government was determined to modernise all revenue generating organisations to enable them to perform well.
He asked personnel of CEPS and other organisations on the frontiers to be alert and prevent all troublemakers from coming into the country to cause mischief, especially in this election year.
Nine junior and senior staff including Mr Samuel Kwame, a Collection Assistant at the Dabala Point, received awards for their dedication to duty.
A message read on behalf of the Commissioner of CEPS said the Ghana Community Network (GCNET) and the Ghana Customs Management Systems (GCMS) would soon be extended to Aflao, Kumasi, Elubo and the Northern collections.
