Customs to wage "war" against corrupt officers

Dabala (V/R), March 17, GNA - The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) is to wage a relentless war against corrupt personnel who turn the Service into "private gold mines" to the detriment of national revenue.

Any officer caught or implicated in any act that is at variance with the ethics of the Service would henceforth not only be dismissed but would also be prosecuted.

Brigadier-General Richardson Baiden, who gave the warning at the Dabala Check-Point, on the Aflao-Accra highway on Tuesday said the new image slogan of the service is not a sham, adding CEPS is no more a place for incorrigible people.

"You should from now on resist any attempt to place your personal interest above that of the Service or nation", he said.

Brigadier-General Baiden who was commissioning a building complex at the Dabala Check Point which is under the Aflao Collection, reiterated that the crusade against indiscipline and corruption would be intensified to eliminate "every irresponsibility at this stage of the institutional transformation in which the search for a new image becomes high within the Service".

The 160-million cedis complex, built with contributions from CEPS personnel at the Aflao Collection and donations from some individuals, comprises an Officers' Mess, Officers lodge and a water storage facility.

He expressed regret that some check points have become fertile grounds for extortion and intimidation of traders and the travelling public, saying management had received several reports about the corrupt practices of Customs officers at the check points and would act promptly to stop them.

He commended personnel of the Aflao Collection point for their teamwork and initiative that led to the realisation of the building project.

The Commissioner said the deterioration of structures and lack of amenities within the Service, were conditions that could demoralise even the highly committed officer.

He said management, in consultation with the CEPS Board and government, was devising strategies to tackle some of the problems within the Service. "It is heart-warming that despite this, personnel were putting in their maximum efforts and urged them to further brave the odds."

Mr Alexander Narh Okunor, Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Aflao Collection point said there had been an encouraging self-help spirit among personnel at various duty posts in the area.

He commended the immediate past Commander of he Sector, Mr Kow Amissah-Koomson, now in-charge of Administration at the CEPS Headquarters, after whom the complex was named in recognition of the many projects he initiated during his tenure of office at the Aflao Sector.

Mr Sammy Quarmyne, Chief Collector in-charge of the Dabala Check Point, paid a tribute to personnel of the Service, other individuals, organisations and the Guinean Ambassador to Togo, whose contributions and donations made the completion of the project possible. He appealed to management to finalise the process of acquisition of the land on which the complex was built to stop encroachment.