Government must probe rot in timber industry

Accra, May 16, GNA - The Anti-revenue Leakages Special Monitoring Team of the Ghana Revenue Authority, on Sunday called on the President to probe irregularities in the timber industry, which is depriving the State of huge revenue.

Mr Thomas O. Mills, Leader of the team who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said lack of proper supervision, monitoring and other lapses in the industry had attracted a number of people including foreigners, who are duping the country of large amount of money. He said investigations by the anti-revenue leakages team at Tema Harbour revealed that some of the operators have exhausted their concession, yet they export timber especially teak and pocket their profit and revenue that is meant for the State.

"Others have no concession but are exporting teak, while some of the trucks carrying the product mostly under cover and during weekends do so without permit or official authorisation. "These products are normally allowed to be exported at the ports without officials scrutinising their source or origin." Mr Mills asked the Executive to set up a special body to probe how concessions are allocated and the exportation of teak and other lumber without proper procedure. "I see the trend as a serious threat to the economy and I hope Government would act with dispatch to halt the trend," he said. 16 May 10