Processes for the full handover of the classification, valuation and risk management functions of Destination Inspection Companies (DICs) to West Blue Ghana Limited and Ghana Community Network (GCNet) have been initiated.
According to a July 30, 2015 letter from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to the Chief of Staff and copied to DICs and relevant sector ministries, with effect from September 1, 2015, all imports through the frontiers, air and sea ports will be processed by the Ghana Customs through the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report System (PAARS), for the issuance of Customs Classification and Valuation Report (CCVR).
The CCVR replaces the Final Classification and Valuation Report (FCVR) which was handled by the DICs.
DICs to be adversely affected by the new directive are BIVAC International, Gateway Services Limited (GSL), Ghana Link Network Services, Webb Fontaine Ghana Limited and Inspection Control Service.
Takeover The letter, signed by a Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations at the GRA, Mr Frederick Gavor, said all active FCVRs under processing and unutilised would, however, be allowed in the current destination inspection system for the next 30 days ending October 2, 2015.
The letter, a copy of which is in the possession of the Daily Graphic, said the GCNet would cease transmission and receipt of completed FCVRs from DICs at the end of the grace period of October, 2015.
Test run It further indicated that the test run of the software would start on August 9, 2015, adding that “GCNet and West Blue are to make available their systems for this test run”.
The letter said freight forwarders were to submit dummy documents for test runs alongside the DIC system.
“The shipping and airline companies are also to lodge their documents into the PAARS,” the letter directed, adding that “a new import guide will be published for the attention of the general public”.
It noted that the directive formed part of preparations towards the final takeover of classification, valuation and risk management functions from the DICs.
Expiration of contract The contract of DICs expires on August 31, 2015 and the government has declared its intention not to renew it.
It has since directed the Ministry of Finance to engage West Blue Ghana Limited to take over the operations of DICs.
Peeved with the government’s decision, a clearing agent, Mr Michael Kweku Djan, took legal action challenging the decision by the government to engage West.
Blue Ghana Limited to implement the Single Window and Risk Management System project at the country’s ports.
But the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra on July 31, 2015 threw out the application for injunction against the award of the contract to the company through sole-sourcing.
According to the court, the applicant failed to demonstrate how his rights had been abused, besides his failure also to disclose any reasonable cause of action.
It also held that the application was premature because the applicant had not demonstrated whether or not the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) had indeed awarded the contract to West Blue Ghana Limited.
Meanwhile, lawyer for Mr Djan, Mr Alexander Afenyo Markin, has written to the PPA to enquire whether or not a procurement process had been initiated for the implementation of the National Single Window and Risk Management Project to enable his client to apply.
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