At Launching Ceremony of 71st International Customs Day in Bamenda
The Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze has lauded the Chief of the North West Customs Sector, Senior Customs Inspector, Epie Jerome for exceptional performance since his appointment at the helm of the region.
The minister was speaking on the 23rd of January 2024 in Bamenda while launching the 71st edition of the International Customs Day to be celebrated on the 26th of January 2024. This also culminated with the laying of foundation stone of the headquarters of the North West Customs Sector.
While laying the foundation stone, Minister Motaze appreciated the North West Customs Sector for improving in revenue collection despite all their difficulties. “I am very happy with the resilience of the custom sector of the North West. The results are quite good and performance generally higher than the target I gave them. This is why we have to give them a better working condition.” He disclosed.
Motaze added that in 2023, the North West Custom boss mobilized resources for the state budget beyond expectations for the 4th consecutive year, and in difficult conditions. “You deserve an applause. In 2024, expectations are higher as expressed in the increase in state revenue for the structural transformation of the economy, for the protection of society and for the safety of people. The challenge is yours and ours because you will always be able to count on the concerns of the government and those of its partners.” The minister added.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Customs, Edwin Fongod revealed that a good number of projects shall be implemented in the region such as the creation and management of a Dry Port and Clearing Post in Bamenda. He said these services will increase revenue collection in the region as well as facilitate the clearing of goods.
Milestone in Revenue Collection
Earlier in his welcome address, Inspector Epie saluted the choice of Bamenda for the launching of activities of the International Customs Day for the second time after 2018.
He described the laying of foundation stone as a milestone. He said last year, the Director General of Customs, Edwin Fongod visited their sector to congratulate them for their spectacular achievements in revenue collection despite the prevailing crisis.
Reviewing their performance, he said before his appointment to the North West, the annual revenue was only FCFA 12 Million for the 2019 fiscal year.
Epie said in 2020 when he came, he pushed up their revenue collection to FCFA 27 million, and in 2021, they collected FCFA 176 million. He continued that in 2022, the sector tripled its result as it collected an annual amount of FCFA 431 million. He added that last year the sector recorded a whopping amount of FCFA 502 million for budgetary and non-budgetary revenue.
Chief of North West Customs Sector
According to him, this is a milestone and a brilliant performance for the sector as it has never collected above CFA 365 million even during normal socioeconomic conditions.
The North West Customs Boss assured that irrespective of their challenges as a result of the socio-political crisis, he was confident that the new building for their sector will create an environment for collective innovation, productivity and wellbeing for personnel for excellent performance.
Unprecedented Visit
Also, the City Mayor of Bamenda City Council, Paul Achobong Tambeng described Motaze’s visit to Bamenda as historic and unprecedented considering it was the first time a minister of finance was visiting the region.
He said the laying the foundation stone of a new custom building will guarantee a more efficient and effective customs administration that will serve the growing economy and contribute to their regional and municipal development.
Also present at the event was the Governor of the North West Region, Adolf Lele L’Afrique, administrative and municipal authorities.
By Olive Ejang
