The Kotoka International Airport (KIA) sector of the Customs Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS) has collected about ¢631 billion in revenue, as against a target of ¢648.3 billion for 2006.

The KIA collection thus achieved 97 percent of the revenue target for that year, according to the Sector Commander, Assistant Commissioner of CEPS, John Oklu.

Speaking at an end-of-year reception and awards night of the KIA sector, Mr Oklu said although the target was not met, the 2006 total revenue increased by ¢127.1 billion over that of 2005.

Mr Oklu said considering the high level of import exemptions, amounting to about ¢662.5 billion, compared with the ¢631.1 billion total revenue, the collection's performance was quite commendable.

He recalled a number of arrests made by the sector in the past year, saying they included 17.22kg of cocaine, seven kilos of marijuana and 3,236 pieces of mobile phones, yielding total revenue of ¢736,858,823.

He commended Mr Seth Dovlo, his predecessor, for laying a good foundation and cautioned, "we shall however not be swollen headed. We shall place the interest of the service and the nation above all parochial considerations."

Mr Oklu said measures would be taken to address problems of the sector such as staffing, skills upgrading and provision of equipment in order to enhance efficiency.

Mr Jonathan Debrah, Assistant collector and Ms Matilda Akowuah, Collection Assistant, received prizes for emerging the overall best collectors.


Source GNA