CEPS re-opens SAGA for full Operations

Tema (Greater Accra) 18 June '99

The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) on Thursday re-opened Saga Ghana Limited, private shipping company in Tema, for full operations after three weeks of investigations into its operations.

The CEPS handed over the company's keys to its management on Wednesday after it allowed the company to operate for two weeks on a limited basis.

A letter issued by the CEPS said the decision to re-open the company followed a meeting held last Tuesday between the Commissioner of CEPS, Bureau of National Investigations, the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and Saga management.

The letter, signed by Mr Robert Kwami, Assistant Commissioner of CEPS in charge of Tema, said, notwithstanding the lifting of the restrictions, Saga must comply with all customs obligations under the laws.

These are the timely submission of Uncleared Cargo Lists, timely delivery to the State Warehouse of all overtime cargo while all amendments to Cargo Manifests submitted to customs should be done by competent management personnel.

The letter, however, stated that customs officers will continue to keep watch at the company's premises.

It said while waiting for the outcome of the on-going investigations, CEPS still looks forward to enhanced good working relations and mutual co-operation with Saga.

The CEPS, acting on instructions of the Minister for National Security, shut the company for investigations after seven kilograms of cocaine was detected among 400 bags of rice shipped into the country from Surinam.

The investigations also covered the alleged importation of stolen cars from the United States and Canada through ships for which Saga served as local agents.

During the restrictions, Saga was not allowed to handle shipping, clearing and forwarding operations.