Customs denies confiscated vehicles are being moved from the port

The Tema customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has denied media reports suggesting that confiscated vehicles are being moved from the port of Tema following the change in government.

There were several media reports alleging that unusual numbers of confiscated vehicles are being removed from Tema Port to some unknown destination by some members suspected to be affiliated with the outgoing government.

But addressing the media, the sector commander for Tema collection, Confidence Nyadzi said the reports cannot be accurate.

He said official data in the Ghana Customs Management Systems indicates that the allegation is without basis and advised the general public to disregard such rumours.

“I wish to state that this information is inaccurate because official data in the GCMS indicates that this allegation is without basis,” he said and advised the general public to disregard such rumors.

He also entreated media practitioners to contact the office of the sector commander on any issues relating to customs operations at the port before putting it out on the public domain.

Explaining the process of allocation of vehicles, the Chief Revenue Officer Outdoor, Peter Alu said there is a vehicle allocation committee who ensure that seized vehicles are allocated to applicants.

“When the vehicle overstays sixty days and it is gazette, the vehicles are then allocated to various people depending on the demand they make in government. With that one you will be given an allocation letter then you come here and start the process through the manifest and then you take it after paying what has been offered to you.”

He entreated the importing public to endeavor to clear their vehicles within the required 60 days in order not for their vehicles to be seized and subsequently auctioned or allocated.

“You have sixty days to clear, if for any reason you are not able to clear within the sixty days, you will have to write to the head office explaining why you are not able to clear the vehicle within the sixty days. It could be that you have insufficient information, the information between you and the shipper there were discrepancies and when that is understood, you are given a letter which we call the first offer privilege,” he explained.

Journalists were taken on tour to some of the terminals accommodating seized vehicles including the Atlas terminal, Golden Jubilee Terminal and Safe bond terminal.