KIA CEPS collects C631bn revenue in 2006

Accra, Jan 16, GNA - The Kotoka International Airport (KIA) sector of the Customs Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS) sector at has collected about 631 billion cedis in revenue, as against a target of 648.3 billion cedis for 2006.

The KIA collection thus achieved 97 percent of the revenue target for that year, according to the Sector Commander, Assistant Commissioner of CEPS, John Oklu.

Speaking at an end-of-year reception and awards night of the KIA sector, Mr Oklu said although the target was not met, the 2006 total revenue increased by 127.1 billion cedis over that of 2005. Mr Oklu said considering the high level of import exemptions, amounting to about 662.5 billion cedis, compared with the 631.1 billion cedis total revenue, the collection's performance was quite commendable. He recalled a number of arrests made by the sector in the past year, saying they included 17.22kg of cocaine, seven kilos of marijuana and 3,236 pieces of mobile phones, yielding total revenue of 736,858,823 cedis.

He commended Mr Seth Dovlo, his predecessor, for laying a good foundation and cautioned, "we shall however not be swollen headed. We shall place the interest of the service and the nation above all parochial considerations."

Mr Oklu said measures would be taken to address problems of the sector such as staffing, skills upgrading and provision of equipment in order to enhance efficiency.

Mr Jonathan Debrah, Assistant collector and Ms Matilda Akowuah, Collection Assistant, received prizes for emerging the overall best collectors.