ZRA REIGNS IN ON SMUGGLING

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU in Nakonde

THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has launched a US$6.4 million electronic cargo inspection scanner at the Nakonde one stop border post to help curb smuggling.

The scanner has the ability to show various types of materials being transported by colour codes for easy identification, to prevent smuggling.

And Minister of Finance, Felix Mutati has directed ZRA to arrest anyone found smuggling as they posed a risk to the country.

The scanner is expected to help eradicate possible fraud, bribes and thefts, because all transactions would be recorded and cannot be manipulated.

With the introduction of the scanner, ZRA will be able to scan and clear over 200 containers of goods offloaded on suspicious basis in a day from the current five.

Speaking at the official launch, ZRA Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda, said the introduction of the scanner would reduce physical inspection and related side effects such as pilferage, breakage and delays.

“The scanner process will also help ZRA in responding to global trends for a faster and easy supply chain system that mainly relies on improved trade facilitation.

“In places where we have already installed similar scanners, we have been able to intercept goods that were misclassified and concealed,” Mr Chanda said.

“The new scanner, which was bought at a cost of US$6.398 million also has a radiation portal, which will give customers the ability to check whether any radioactive materials is being smuggled into the country,” he said.

And Mr. Mutati said ZRA should arrest all smugglers and forfeit their goods as well as their vessels.

Mr. Mutati said smugglers were robbing the country of the much-needed revenue for economic development.

He also said installing such a scanner was another significant breakthrough leading to a more aggressive domestic revenue mobilisation.

Mr. Mutati said the 2018 national budget focused on resource mobilisation which was anchored around enhancing tax administration through improved taxpayer services, risk management, enforcement and compliance.

“The new high technology cargo container we are launching today is a game changer at Nakonde border post. It will help ZRA deal with illicit trade activities.

“This will help Government find a balance that would provide fair taxation and at the same time garner sufficient resources to deliver public service and spearhead development,” Mr Mutati said.

Meanwhile, Minister of National Development Planning, Alexander Chiteme, said the scanner would assist to improve access to trade with other countries, thereby promoting economic diversification.

Mr. Chiteme said the scanner would also bring about efficiency in import and export declarations.

“The Nakonde border post is one of the strategic borders that process large volumes of exports. I am confident that the scanner will assist in accelerating economic growth through revenue collection,” Mr. Chiteme said.