ZRA pledges to clear Chirundu challenges

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:02:08 +0000

By MUKOSELA KASALWE

 THE Chirundu Clearing Association has petitioned Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General  to address pertinent issues at the one-stop border post such as prolonged  time to clear trucks and poor sanitation.

And ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda who toured the border yesterday on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean side, assured the association that their concerns would be addressed before Friday as ZRA and the association had a common interest.

Mr. Chanda said he was cognizant that transporters and clearing agents were their partners who support Government efforts of increased revenue collection for the country’s development.

He said he would study the issues outlined in the letter which included long hours to clear trucks as well as poor sanitation and reiterated that he would get back to the association before Friday.

He said ZRA would continue to support and work with the private sector so that their business grows and the benefits trickle down to community members.

Mr. Chanda said he was impressed with the rate of revenue collection at Chirundu border and the local management.

“It will be premature for me to address the issues you have raised now but I will study them and get back to you before this Friday.

“ZRA and the association have a common interest which is to collect revenue for the benefit of our nation and I would like to assure you of a lasting solution to the issues you have raised,” he said.

Mr. Chanda said technology features that the ZRA was implementing would ensure a quicker and transparent mechanism to a speedy  clearance of trucks and the prior clearance of paper work before trucks reach the border.

He said he decided to undertake a physical inspection and find out for himself the challenges the border faced.

Mr. Chanda said the smuggled goods recently intercepted at the revenue authority  warehouse which included beverages and ciggaretes and the trucks used would be forfeited to the State.

And Chirundu Clearing Association chairman Brian Champo told Mr. Chanda said he was disappointed that officers at the border were not truthful with him but opted to assure him that all was well.

Mr. Champo said he agreed with the commissioner general on the need to fight acts of corruption and improve the work culture at the border.

Earlier, Chirundu border scanner supervisor Maxwell Kapindula said 150 to 200 trucks were cleared on a daily basis from 06:00hours to 22:00 hours and that the device was used as a security feature for goods which may have not been declared on the bill of entry.

And Zimbabwe Revenue Authority station manager Victor Mayisin said the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides had a cordial relationship and were working normally to ensure a speedy clearance of trucks.

And some clearing agents expressed concern that trucks with flammable substances  such as sulphur were being parked inside the border instead of outside.