KUWAIT CITY, Feb 10:  MP Hassan Jowhar accused the Customs Department of corruption and bureaucracy after receiving information about a large quantity of cargo, which allegedly did not go through the usual inspection procedures, neglected at Kuwait International Airport, reports Al-Dar daily.
In a recent press statement, Jowhar stressed some cargo aircraft had been stranded at the airport for 10 days due to the corrupt activities and bureaucratic procedures at the department. He said the negligence of the department has caused massive losses to traders.
Meanwhile, some observers confirmed the procedures followed at the airport for clearing shipments are lengthy and do not contribute in the government’s income from customs operations.
A businessman has expressed surprise over the prevalence of bureaucracy at the airport which, he opined, hinders the realization of Kuwait’s vision to become a commercial and financial hub in the region. 

Some employees at the department affirmed a large quantity of cargo is pending at the airport due to lack of manpower to carry out the inspection procedures as most of the workers are either not reporting for work or on leave.  They said not more than 40 employees report regularly for work.
Other sources disclosed the general manager of the department has been on sick leave for more than one and a half year.  They added the committed employees should undergo training to enhance their skills and ensure their efficiency at work.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers will soon recommend the inclusion of debtor citizens, whose salary deductions are up to 30 percent, among the beneficiaries of the Fund for the Needy, in order to give more people the opportunity to benefit from the fund, reports Al-Shahid daily.
The daily quoted a parliamentary source as saying the move will enable such debtors to seek for more debts, which will lead to deduction of an additional 20 percent of their salaries.
This will enhance the increase of the fund’s capital base to one billion dinars, while 50 percent of the salary will be intended for debt settlement, he noted.
He reiterated amendment to the fund for the needy will take place by early March, after the government might have presented projections in that regard.