The international Customs Day has been launched in Bamenda
with the pious hope that the North West region returns to normal life soon. The
launching event Monday 15, gave an opportunity for Custom officials and the
Administration of the North West to examine the challenges facing the sector
and possible ways through which they can be resolved.
While representing the Minister of Finance at the event,
North West Governor Adolph Lele L’Afrique intimated that the choice of the
North West region to host the launching event was timely following the crisis
the region is currently facing.
With the 2018 observance of the International Day centered
on the theme “a secured environment for economic development” the regional
administrative while addressing the gathering reaffirmed government’s resolve
and determination to protect the economy of both the state and individuals and
by so doing protecting the Customs Sector which stands out as a major revenue
source for the state.
“The theme of the event calls on us all to put hands
together to secure our economic environment for economic activities to move on
hitch free. That is the reason why the Minister of Finance calls on all
stakeholders to take their responsibility by becoming exemplary citizens by
fighting against those that are still disturbing the smooth functioning of
economic activities mainly the customs services in our region in our nation.”
Governor Lele said.
According to the General Director of Customs Fongod Edwin
Pivaga very little success can be achieve particularly by the customs without
security.
“When there is insecurity you cannot render trade free. You
will remember that once in a while the boarders are closed and when there are
such situations you can’t actually think of economic growth and so the Customs
Sector is suffering a lot from the present situation. You got it from the
Governor’s message that things are fast changing and we are beginning to notice
growth in the customs sector in the last few weeks and we pray that it should
continue. There cannot be economic growth or development in a situation of
insecurity.” The customs Director noted.
With a population of over 1.8million as at 2010 with a long
boarder with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, observers in the region have been
quick to point at the flooding of markets through illegal routes with cheap and
products of doubtful quality, prosperous trans-border trade, illicit trade due
to the porous borders amongst others as possible sources of Custom revenue
leakages. Economic experts are expressing hope that if the roads in the region
are tarred and a dry port created, income generation will skyrocket in the
region.
The International Customs Day launching event also provided
an opportunity for the Directorate of Customs to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding (M.O.U) with the University of Bamenda. According to the Vice
Chancellor of the University of Bamenda Uba Prof Theresia Nkuo Akenji, the MOU
will allow students of transport and Logistics in her University to carry
internships in Custom Sector offices around the country which will give them a
better learning opportunity and environment.