Paperless port mess disappointing – Suhuyini

The Member of Parliament for the Tamale North constituency Alhassan Suhuyini has described the mess generated from the introduction of the paperless port system as “disappointing”.

Officials of the Customs Service at the country’s ports have had a torrid time controlling frustrated clearing agents at the Tema port four days into the implementation of the system as some were yet to get clearance for their goods.

The deputy Commissioner of Customs Service Richard Yaotse has admitted that the roll-out of the system suffered challenges and that they are working assiduously to have them rectified.

But speaking on Morning Starr Friday, the former Broadcast Journalist told host Francis Abban that the paperless system should have been competently implemented due to the hype by the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia prior to the commencement of the system.

“I am disappointed that upon the hype on the Paperless system, we have these challenges…we should ensure that by the end of the day, importers are served and served well.”

Hundreds of angry Freight Forwarders on Thursday thronged the Longroom of the Tema Port over what they say are delays in the clearance of their consignments at the port.

Government began the implementation of the paperless clearing system last Saturday to speed up the process of clearing goods, and ensure order at the port, whiles blocking loopholes.

But barely a week after the project commenced, the agitated freight forwarders are complaning that the paperless process is slowing down their work.