By KASONDE KASONDE –
GOVERNMENT, through the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), has commissioned a non-intrusive fixed railway scanner in Kapiri Mposhi to increase cargo inspections and enhance revenue collection.
ZRA Commissioner General Berlin Msiska said the scanner was bought at a cost of K35 million, and expressed gratitude to the Government.
Speaking during the commissioning of the scanner in Kapiri Mposhi yesterday, Mr Msiska said it would help reduce the cost of doing business.
“Scanners normally take about five minutes to scan a vessel unlike the conventional way of inspection that takes up to five hours as one has to physically examine goods on trains. This development is a plus,” Mr Msiska said.
He said the other benefits of the scanner included increasing cargo inspections, detecting fraudulent concealments and misclassification of goods, thereby encouraging honest declarations.
Mr Msiska said the Authority intended to continue implementing additional measures to facilitate legitimate trade and at the same time curb Government revenue leakage avenues such as smuggling.
He said due to its strategic location for logistics, Kapiri Mposhi was identified as a place where to conduct intensive anti-smuggling activities mainly arising from the porous border in the northern region.
He said construction of an enforcement centre in the district had reached an advanced stage and was scheduled to be commissioned this year.
Training supervisor at the site, Michael Yang said the place was well located and that the radiation would not cause any damage to human beings.
In its quest to support the ZRA in revenue collection and trade facilitation, Government has bought eight non-intrusive fixed scanners.
The scanners are currently operational at border posts that include Kazungula, Katima Mulilo, Chanida, Livingstone, and Kasumbalesa.