Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Customs recorded its highest single-day collection ever last week, a surge he argues reflects improved oversight and reduced leakages at the country’s main port of entry.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne show, Browne told listeners that Customs brought in EC$3.7 million on Monday, marking the strongest revenue performance on record. He said the figure demonstrates that recent administrative adjustments are beginning to show results.
“So do you know our record collection was last Monday, $3.7 million,” he said. “We never, ever touch anything close to that. The record collection at Customs.”
The Prime Minister linked the increase to efforts to strengthen revenue monitoring, noting that the port’s performance had long lagged behind its potential. He said the uptick is an indication that the government is now “getting value for money” and closing gaps that previously allowed significant losses.
The discussion came as the government considers major upgrades to the port to accommodate rising cargo volumes and new interest from international shipping firms. Browne said the port’s revenue performance will become increasingly important as Antigua and Barbuda positions itself to benefit from growing regional transshipment activity.
During the programme, Sir Molwyn Joseph urged the government to deepen its review of port operations and adopt a more business-focused management approach. He said the port must evolve beyond its traditional role and operate as a major revenue centre for the country.
Joseph argued that the current structure places too much emphasis on the physical movement of goods and not enough on daily financial analysis. He said effective management would require the port to track its expected revenue yields based on cargo volume and detect anomalies immediately.
He told the Prime Minister that revenue outcomes should be predictable from day to day and that Customs’ recent record performance shows how much potential had previously gone unrealised.
Joseph recommended closer attention to port security, cargo movement controls, and overall managerial oversight, saying the government should “look closely at the management” to ensure stronger accountability and consistent performance.
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Imagine 4 million still made after the chain gang stole revenue from the cars….