Accra Jan. 17, GNA- Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) bagged about 376.5 billion cedis as revenue collected for the year 2004 which represents about 75.3 per cent of the 500 billion cedis target for that year.

This is the first time in recent years that the revenue collection has fallen short of the intended target.

Ms. Endurance Moncar, Sector Commander of CEPS at KIA told journalists at separate meetings after their annual get-together over the weekend that the shortfall was due to a lot of factors beyond their control. She said the bulk of the imports were cleared through task exemption, which included heavy duty road construction equipment, mining equipment as well as communication equipment and accessories.

The Sector commander noted that a lot of importers were sceptical and not sure what to order because of the elections.

Giving statistics of the reasons for the shortfall in revenue collection, Ms. Moncar said 1,763 packages of goods transmitted through KIA to Togo, Cote d'Ivoire and Benin, 4,176 packages of trans-shipment goods were air lifted to Nigeria while 1,120 consignment consisting of 4,535 packages of goods were escorted to Free Zones in Accra, Tema, Kade, Kumasi, Takoradi and Ada.

The Sector Commander said four people were arrested in the Arrival Hall carrying heroine totalling 46.812 kilogrammes concealed in false compartment of their luggage, one person was arrested at the Departure Hall with 8.7 kilogrammes of cocaine also concealed, while three arrests were made in wooden cabins to be exported.

She told the gathering that measures were being taken to instil discipline into CEPS staff, adding that all the laid down procedures would be vigorously adhered to, to ensure honesty, efficiency and quality of service delivery at KIA.

She tasked all CEPS official to step up vigilance to ensure that nobody evades tax to the detriment of national development. Ms Moncar cautioned managers and supervisors of the various units that they would be held responsible for any lapses that would be detected as far as revenue collection was concerned.

She said despite all the challenges, CEPS were able to erect canopies to serve as shelter for customers who do business at AFGO village. Some officers who excelled in their duties were honoured at the end of the year.

Ms Catherine Baba Swadson, Chief Collector was adjudged the best senior officer and Mr Wilson Mawuli Donia was adjudged the best junior officer.