President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority office in Tema Port and commended the officials for enhancing revenue collection. The visit was a follow up of his tour last February, which followed the publication of footage of underhand dealings in revenue collection at the Port by Investigative Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Revenue at the Port has shot up to GH¢ 87 million, representing 12.7 per cent above target. "I'm here to commend you for your operations that have led to the increase in the collection of revenue," President Mills said, when he met with the Commissioner of Customs, Major General Carl Mordey, and other top officials of the Service. President Mills observed that Government had been vindicated on its position that more could be done to improve revenue mobilisation. "Being here is for us to see how we can reach higher heights. You [Customs Officials] have really justified the confidence we have in you," he said. The President praised the Service for changing its way of doing things which he said had ensured the increases in revenue mobilisation. "Your improved operations showed there were things that should be done that were not done, and things that should not be done that were being done." President Mills reminded officers of the Service to do all that was necessary maximise revenue mobilisation. On a request by the Customs Commissioner for Government for increased motivation of the personnel of the Service and the increment of the three per cent retention rate of revenue collected to care, especially for capital development needs of the Service, President Mills agreed, but stressed the need for better revenue collection so they would have enough within the percentage for capital development and to care for other needs. Addressing a larger assembly of the officials later, President Mills said: "We are watching you with keen eyes," and added that there would be a shift from indirect taxes to direct taxes as the economy developed further. Gen Mordey said improvement in the operations of the Service involved better monitoring, automation, better complaints system and improved client services. He added that the volume of imports, especially during the last Easter season was enhanced while the Service dissolved and combined all task forces into one for more efficient operations. Source: GNA