Hamile Border Recrods Low Reciepts

Hamile (U/W), June 20, - CustomS officials at the Hamile border post in the Upper West Region exceeded their revenue target of 50.3 million cedis by 36 million cedis last year. However, as at June this year, they have been able to collect just a little over 15 million cedis out of an expected target of 50 million cedis for the year. Mr Samuel Francis Nyamean, assistant collector of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in charge of the Hamile post, disclosed this to Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister, when he visited customs officials at Lawra, Tumu and Hamile to interact with them. Mr Nyamean attributed the low revenue collection being experienced this year to the implementation of Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) protocols which allow waiver on the collection of duties on cattle which have been the major source of revenue at the post. The regional minister asked the officials to adopt innovative ways that will enable them to maximise tax collection to support government budget. Alhaji Sulemana explained that plans to re-introduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) are meant to widen the tax net to cover other non-traditional sources of revenue. He asked the various security agencies at the borders to co-operate with one another in the discharge of their duties and avoid acts that will bring the image of the country into disrepute. The customs officials complained to the minister of lack of equipment, transport and poor staffing which they claimed was affecting the effective discharge of their duties.