Tema, Feb 1, GNA - The Tema Collection Unit of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) realised a revenue of 5.4 trillion cedis in 2003 as against 3.4 trillion in 2002.

It exceeded its target by over 20 percent, Mr Kofi Danquah, Assistant Commissioner of CEPS at Tema announced at the end-of-year party held for staff during which a number of them were awarded for their meritorious work.

He described the Tema Collection point as the "nerve-centre and the heart beat" of the Service because about 80 percent of the total revenue collected is generated by the point.

Mr Danquah commended the staff for their remarkable performance as their vigilance led to the recovery of 4.8 billion cedis as duties and pecuniary penalty, with the penalties ranging between 5 million and 150 million cedis.

This was the result of 324 short collections in three months from October to December 2003.

He attributed the greater part of the successes to the introduction of the GCNet in Tema, saying that its transparency cannot allow any manipulation and warned the public and staff who have any negative intention to put that aside because they would not succeed. He however, admitted that they could have done better than that but certain factors militated against the full maximization of revenue collection.

To improve upon the present performance, the Assistant Commissioner entreated inspection agencies to conduct intensive research to establish the correct values for imported items, and clearing agents to weed out the bad nuts among them, while the staff needed to be diligent and honest in their performances.

While urging traders to refrain from submitting fraudulent invoice they should rather report the nefarious activities of their colleagues and port workers.

Mr Samuel Yankyira, an officer received the Tema Officer of the Year award.