Conflict having effect on CEPS revenue - Official

Sunyani Jan 18 GNA - The political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme were major factors that accounted for a 1.6 billion cedis shortfall in revenue recorded by Customs, Excise and Preventive Service in Brong Ahafo last year.

Whilst total receipts for import duty and import vat by the Service's eight stations for 2002 was 17,362,855,017 cedis, only 15,663,570,227 cedis was raked in 2003.

The Service has stations at Gonokrom, Kwameseikrom, Sampa, Atuna, Sunyani, Nkrankwanta, Oseikojokrom and Kofibadukrom. Mr Ed (correct) Richard Kumah Lanyon, Sector Commander disclosed at an end of year party held by the Service in Sunyani.

He said the crisis in the neighbouring country made the Service to experience an "abnormally" low traffic in terms of imports and other taxable transactions as several traders, for the security of their goods and their personal safety chose to use the eastern frontier or the sea and airports.

The Sector Commander said the rains also degraded the roads leading to and from the western frontier, particularly in Brong Ahafo, where in some places they were virtually rendered impassable.

Mr Lanyon explained that commercial vehicles and other transporters as a result of the bad state of the roads charged exorbitant fares, making some of the traders to avoid the routes altogether or diverted trade elsewhere.

The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, under which goods originating from the ECOWAS sub-region were exempted from import duty were applied in over 80 percent of imports from Cote d'Ivoire, he added. The Sector Commander said during 2003, more companies and goods came under the facility in order to enjoy the import-free franchise.

He noted that revenue shortfalls had grave implications for the national economy, social welfare and national security and "where revenue turnover is for less than projected, development is adversely affected".

"As tax collectors it is our mandate and responsibility to ensure that every collectible cedi is received, lodged and secured in the national kitty, the Sector Commander said and stressed that in the golden age of business rigid controls and regimentation must give way to facilitation and monitoring of legitimate investment."

Mr Lanyon noted that as the Service took stock of last year's performance, "It would be befitting and proper to renew our commitment and re-dedicate ourselves to the given mandate and responsibility and pledge ourselves again to our motto to be patriotic, honest and fair in our dealings with the public at large".

He extended the Service's sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families of colleagues in the region who passed away at the function at which some deserving retired and serving officers were also honoured with awards for their outstanding performances.

Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Sunyani District Chief Executive commended the Service for its invaluable contributions to the national economy and called on the officers not to rest on their oars but to work to increase their output.

He urged them to avoid acts that could cast a slur on their image and damage the national economy. 18 JAN 04