The Minister of Finance has called on customs officials nationwide to strengthen collaboration amongst themselves in order ensure more recovery and in tend meet targets put before them by government.
Finance minister, Louis Paul Motaze and Customs Director General, Edwin Fongod
Minister Louis Paul Motaze made the recommendation 26 January 2021 while chairing the commemorative activities to mark the international customs day at the 101 military airbase in Yaoundé.
“Ensure recovery by strengthening collaboration. The economic impact of the pandemic on businesses has been colossal, causing profound upheavals in global supply chains. The resulting general confusion was compounded by a shortage of human resources and the application of additional border controls, which inevitably generated delays,” Motaze stated, adding that government has adopted variety of measures to respond to the health crisis which has had impact in many sectors.
“…the titanic task of reconstruction cannot be undertaken in isolation. The expertise of all agencies and stakeholders present at the borders is a decisive element. Customs is called upon to show a sense of leadership during this process at the national, regional and international levels,” he added, while urging the customs department to adapt to new advanced technology while carrying out their task within the context marked with crises.
“…ensure renewal by adopting advanced technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the relevance of the main concepts that we have championed for years, including fully digitized and paperless customs clearance methods, as well as use of technology to apply effective controls and to simplify, improve and speed up procedures, Motaze said.
“Customs will be called upon to rethink the way they work and adapt in order to improve the level of preparation of their staff through awareness-raising and capacity building activities. All with a view to providing professional services and quality performance,” he added.
Customs DG Edwin Fongod
The MINFI urged customs to go beyond their revenue collection mission to protect the country’s economy from the importation of illicit products, increasing customs duties on such imported goods which are locally produced so as not to force local producers out of market which he said is critical in President Biya’s emergence vision.
Motaze hailed the customs department led by Edwin Fongod Nuvaga for being resilient in their mission despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are pleased with the remarkable performance of the customs because we had a very difficult year 2020 and we were not expecting the results that have been achieved,” he said.
The ceremony which was under the theme “Customs bolstering supply, renewal and resilience for a sustainable supply chain” also featured award of attestation to outstanding personnel from the world customs organization, promotion of 150 personnel nationwide and gifts for those going on retirement.
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