THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) is this year targeting to collect over K2.11 million from export volumes into the Great Lakes Region through its station at Mpulungu Harbour.
The authority last year exceeded it’s annual revenue collection target  from export volumes into the Great Lakes Region of K1.142 million by collecting a total of K1.70 million representing a surplus of K558 million.
ZRA Mpulungu station manager William Mwanza  said the authority last year managed to record a surplus of K558 million in terms of revenue collection at the station.
Mr Mwanza said ZRA would rise to the challenge and ensure that it collected the much needed funds.
“In as much as it is a small station, we had a surplus in terms of revenue collection last year, we contributed K1.70 million against a target of K1.142 million.
“As a station, we are game to this yet another challenge in meeting our annual target,” he said.
ZRA  commissioner general Kingsley Chanda said the authority would  embark on infrastructure development to motivate workers.
“We do certainly have some challenges, but as an organisation we have plans for renovation and expansion, we are targeting some areas.
“So for this year,  we are doing Choma and Chinsali because they are new provincial centres after that we may consider Mpulungu ,” he said.
Mr Chanda said everything  was dependant on the availability of resources.
Finance Minister Felix Mutati commended ZRA for exceeding last year’s revenue collection target from Mpulungu port.
Mr Mutati said for this year, Government needs to respond with sufficient resources to ensure the authority operates effectively.
He said despite the local authority working  under difficult conditions, it managed to exceed the target for last year.
The minister said there was need to integrate the revenue collection component in a proper structured manner.
“I am very confident  with the master plan for the redevelopment of the harbour. We need to integrate the revenue collection component in a proper  structured  manner.
“ZRA  did well as an  institution by exceeding its target .So I think  this year, Government  needs to respond and give sufficient funds to be able to do better ,”  Mr Mutati said.