Michelle-Ann Letman, Staff Reporter

Just six weeks into his post as com-missioner of customs, Danville Walker has raked in about 25 per cent more in tax revenue for the month of June, compared to the corresponding period last year.

In June 2007, the Customs Department collected $4.1 billion and in June of this year, it brought in $5.1 billion.

Walker told The Gleaner that the increase in tax revenue was not solely his doing, but resulted from a number of factors, one being the overall increase in the value of goods.

The revenue target for Customs, which is set by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, currently stands at $76 billion per annum.

Walker said that, though the target set by the ministry is being met, the goal could be exceeded if not for the corruption at Customs.

"On the lower end, I estimate that at least 10 per cent of the $76 billion target is being voided by corruption," he said.

On the higher end, Walker said the money being taken from the customs revenue through corruption is 20 per cent.

Speaking at a Jamaica Chamber of Commerce meeting in downtown Kingston yesterday, Walker said that he would strive to put all the necessary systems in place to make Customs more efficient and productive.

"I believe efficiency is one of the best ways to get rid of corruption," he told the gathering.

He added that, once all the necessary measures were in place and importers could get their goods off the wharves, there would be no need or motive to pay anyone to "assist" the system.

michelle-ann.letman@gleanerjm.com