NW Customs Sector: Finance minister to lay foundation stone of Head Office.

The meeting was attended by unit heads of the North West Customs Sector.

It was gathered that one of the high points on the agenda during the meeting was preparations ahead of the visit to the sector by Finance Minister, Louis Paul Motaze.

During the visit billed for January 23, it was gathered that the minister will officially launch International Customs Day Celebration as well as lay the foundation stone of the North West Customs Sector Head Office.

Already, the Head of the North West Customs Sector, senior customs inspector, Epie Jerome, has stated that preparations are far advanced ahead of the momentous event.

He told this reporter that officials of the customs sector have been burning the midnight oil to ensure the success of the dual event.

“…we are making preparations. We have been having coordination meetings. We have been discussing with the governor, you know it is not only something of the sector. The event will be attended by politicians. We have informed the North West Regional Assembly and all other stakeholders who will be there” the well performing Epie Jerome said.

Meanwhile, the International Customs Day, it should be said, is held every year on January 26. 

The day is celebrated to honour and spread awareness about the role played by Customs authorities in the smooth movement of goods across borders. 

It also raises awareness about the importance of Customs authorities in cross-border regulatory activities. 

Every year, Customs authorities of World Customs Organisation, WCO’s, member administrations organise events on this day.

The 2023 International Customs Day will be under the theme: “Nurturing the next generation: Promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs”.

The theme is set with aim to increase a sense of belonging to the world’s Customs community. The WCO was previously known as the Customs Co-operation Council, CCC, and was formed in 1952 in Brussels. 

As an intergovernmental body, it was formed with the primary function to boost the efficiency of customs authorities. The body held its first session on January 26, 1953, with only 17 member nations participating. 

Since then, the council has grown to have 183 member administrations monitoring at least 98% of world trade.