Elubo (W/R) Feb. 18, GNA- The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) realized 33.5 billion cedis at the Elubo Collection Point for 2003 financial year.

Mr. Africanus Owusu-Ansah, the Sector Commander, who announced this at the annual get-together of the CEPS at Elubo, at the weekend, said the target for the year was 43.4 billion cedis.

He said the Collection Point could not meet its target because of the Ivorian crisis which put fear in the travelling public including traders as well as the large quantity of tax exempted goods cleared at the Elubo Station which led to a drop in revenue.

Mr. Owusu-Ansah said significant improvement in revenue collection was recorded at Sewum, Dadieso and Omanpe Collection Stations in 2003 due to re-shuffling of staff.

He said a new duty post has been opened at Jema in the Enchi/Yakase Station and a pick-up vehicle has been provided for personnel at Sewum, Dadieso and Omanpe to enable them to intensify anti-smuggling activities and revenue mobilization.

Mr. Owusu-Ansah said in-service training for personnel, construction of staff mess and provision of improved sanitation facilities at frontier stations are some of the programmes planned for the year. Mr. Martin Sameka Ackah, District Chief Executive for Jomoro who was the guest of honour, commended the CEPS for a job well done at the Elubo Collection Point and urged them to improve upon their performance as the Ivorian crisis is under control.