News / National
Clearing agents accuse Zimra for all delays and congestion at border posts
23 Dec 2011 at 22:52hrs | Views
CLEARING agents countrywide have accused the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for causing delays and congestion at most ports of entry, the Herald reported.
They accused Zimra of introducing the Asycuda World clearance system while they were ill-prepared.
Zimra is also accused of giving the clearing agents short notice for them to conform to the new system.
Shipping and Forwarding Agencies Association of Zimbabwe chief executive officer Mr Joseph Musariri said yesterday an all stakeholders' meeting to decide the way forward has since been convened.
"Stakeholders are eagerly waiting for the current situation to be urgently addressed in a manner that shows Zimra's commitment to facilitating trade for the good of local industry and the region," said Mr Musariri.
"We held a meeting recently in Harare which was attended by about 200 representatives of importers, exporters, transporters and freight forwarders who expressed very serious concern that Zimra were not represented at decision-making level.
"There was a general feeling that the authority was not taking its clients seriously and continued to take a business as usual approach in the face of a national crisis."
Mr Musariri said the new system was not properly tested before the rollout.
He added that the pilot run that was done for Harare was "half-baked".
"The pre-holiday season timing for the roll-out at Harare airport was very ill conceived considering the problems that were still being experienced country-wide on 1 December," said Mr Musariri.
Mr Musariri also said the new programme had reduced the speed at which transactions were being processed at Zimra depots as the bills of entry turnaround time had increased from the standard three hours to between two and 14 days.
"It is taking anything between two and 14 days for Zimra to release goods after submission of declarations. This is against the anticipated three hours. There are entries that are still in the system since 1 December. No system is in place for urgent release of perishable, hazardous and other sensitive cargo.
"Decision making by Zimra continues to be a challenge on the ground. Border posts remain congested. Transit traffic into the region is being delayed," he said.
Most Zimra officers, said Mr Musariri, were not being helpful to their plight.
"There is a very negative attitude on the part of Zimra operatives and perceived resistance of the new system on the ground.
"Most officers are not being helpful. They take a very casual approach. A good number of them have become very arrogant. It is a challenge to attach 30 invoices or more to a declaration.
To make matters worse, Mr Musariri said, Zimra was giving wrong information to importers about the situation on the ground.
They accused Zimra of introducing the Asycuda World clearance system while they were ill-prepared.
Zimra is also accused of giving the clearing agents short notice for them to conform to the new system.
Shipping and Forwarding Agencies Association of Zimbabwe chief executive officer Mr Joseph Musariri said yesterday an all stakeholders' meeting to decide the way forward has since been convened.
"Stakeholders are eagerly waiting for the current situation to be urgently addressed in a manner that shows Zimra's commitment to facilitating trade for the good of local industry and the region," said Mr Musariri.
"We held a meeting recently in Harare which was attended by about 200 representatives of importers, exporters, transporters and freight forwarders who expressed very serious concern that Zimra were not represented at decision-making level.
"There was a general feeling that the authority was not taking its clients seriously and continued to take a business as usual approach in the face of a national crisis."
Mr Musariri said the new system was not properly tested before the rollout.
He added that the pilot run that was done for Harare was "half-baked".
Mr Musariri also said the new programme had reduced the speed at which transactions were being processed at Zimra depots as the bills of entry turnaround time had increased from the standard three hours to between two and 14 days.
"It is taking anything between two and 14 days for Zimra to release goods after submission of declarations. This is against the anticipated three hours. There are entries that are still in the system since 1 December. No system is in place for urgent release of perishable, hazardous and other sensitive cargo.
"Decision making by Zimra continues to be a challenge on the ground. Border posts remain congested. Transit traffic into the region is being delayed," he said.
Most Zimra officers, said Mr Musariri, were not being helpful to their plight.
"There is a very negative attitude on the part of Zimra operatives and perceived resistance of the new system on the ground.
"Most officers are not being helpful. They take a very casual approach. A good number of them have become very arrogant. It is a challenge to attach 30 invoices or more to a declaration.
To make matters worse, Mr Musariri said, Zimra was giving wrong information to importers about the situation on the ground.
Source - TH
