MASERU — The Lesotho Revenue Authority’s Customs and Excise Division has launched a ‘time release study’ to improve the time it takes to clear goods and people at the country’s border posts.
The study which began on Monday will end next Thursday, according to a press statement from the LRA.
The LRA said the programme will enhance efficiency and effectiveness of internal business processes in delivering better services to taxpayers.
“The broad objective of the study is to determine how long it takes to clear goods and people at the border and where in this process, delays exist.
“The study will highlight the type of problems, the reasons for these problems, parties involved as well as possible solutions to the problems,” said the LRA.
The study will cover the following ports — Maseru Bridge, Maseru Station, State Warehouse, Maputsoe Bridge, Van Rooyen’s Gate, Caledon Spoort and Qacha’s Nek.
The revenue collection authority said the results of the study will facilitate the setting up and measurement of service delivery standards to clients and will serve as a foundation to enhance operational efficiency. The business sector has often complained of delays in releasing goods at border posts as they seek to comply with Customs requirements.
The LRA said the weeklong study will also seek to establish where delays occur in the trade supply chain in order for Customs to cooperate with all the agencies involved in the clearance of goods to eliminate bottlenecks with a view to reduce the cost of doing business in Lesotho.The Time Release Study follows a national consultation workshop conducted by the USAID Trade Hub to ensure Lesotho’s compliance with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade requirements.
The Authority encouraged businesses and the general public going through the borders to cooperate with the study team. — Staff Reporter.
