A/A, January 21, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - The Ethiopian Customs Authority should improve its operational systems and raise its human power capacity so as to be able to render efficient services, says the Public Accounts Standing Committee of the House of Peoples' Representatives.This came here on Monday during a parliamentary probing into the operations of the Authority based on a relevant report submitted in 1996 E.C. by the Federal General Auditor.
Standing Committee Chairman Mesfin Mengistu said it was aknowledged that the Authority should extend improved administrative and accounts systems as well as better way of handling confiscated property.
The findings of the audits showed gaps in customs related procedures at some of the branch offices of the authority including more than one million Birr not collected in tax and duty as should have been.
There have also been malpractices at some branches in terms of document processing, claims settlements and property handling, he indicated.
The authority during the hearing said there have been measures taken to redress setbacks in its operations.
Officials of the Lagar Customs, the North Eastern and Eastern Regions and Addis Ababa Airport Branch were present at the discussion.
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