Paga (UE) Dec. 10, GNA- The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, at the weekend urged the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) to urgently review it's operations by setting up an efficient mechanism for the proper valuation of consignments.

The Service must also insist on the use of Tax Identification Numbers by all declarants and be proactive in reviewing declarations and not to depend mainly on post clearance reviews.

Alhaji Mahama made the suggestion when he cut the sod for the commencement of work on a multi-million-cedi Information Communication and Technology (ICT) centre at Paga in the Upper East Region, being constructed by Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet). The facility would automate CEPS operational processes and contribute significantly towards the development and facilitation of trade and also ensure that trade - related tax revenue is duly collected.

Alhaji Mahama asked CEPS to apply faithfully the requisite sanctions to people who make false declarations and irregular actions on the part of the personnel.

"CEPS should not wait till the year is about to end before it tries to put such measures in place. It should rather orient its' respective stations as business units that have to meet monthly revenue forecasts based on annual targets set for each station."

Alhaji Mahama said in doing so, collection variances could promptly be addressed before they escalate.

He said within the context of the country's gateway programme, Government sought to provide the requisite infrastructure and systems that would facilitate efficient and cost - effective business transactions.

Alhaji Mahama said Ghana sought to promote the development and the facilitation of inter-state trade within the ECOWAS sub -region. " This places us in a unique position to play a strategic role in giving Sahelian transit trade to and from our sister countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and to optimize the benefits that accrue from this business".

He said the system also afforded Ghana the opportunity to nib in the bud, the negative trade practices associated with transit trade. Mr. Emmanuel Doku, Commissioner of CEPS said since the introduction of GCNet at the Kotoka International Airport in 2002, the facility had been introduced to Tema, James Town, Takoradi, Aflao, Kumasi, Koforidua and Paga.

He said an enhanced Transit Cargo Module had been added to the system to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of transit transactions.

"Several modules have been designed and will be implemented in the very near future", he said.

Mr. Evans Klutse, CEPS sector Commander in-charge of the Region said Paga border handled about 70 per cent of the transit trade in the Region, the remaining 30 per cent is shared between Kulungu and Pulimankom. "The computerization of customs operations at Paga has brought with it immense benefits and I hope other stakeholder and the trading public would take advantage of it and maximize its benefit", he said. Mr. Nortey Omaboe, Executive Chairman of GCNet said the ICT facility had reduced the cost of doing business. 10 Dec. 06