Bamenda: Finance Minister lays foundation stone of NW Customs headquarters.

It was laid on the sidelines of the launching ceremony of the 71st edition of the International Customs Day, to be celebrated Friday January 26.

Both ceremonies were witnessed amongst others by North West Governor, Adolphe Lele L'Afrique; the Director General of Customs, Edwin Fongod; and Chief of the North Customs Sector, Epie Jerome; other administrative, municipal authorities.

Minister salutes efforts

While laying the foundation stone of the headquarters of the North West Customs sector, Finance Minister, Louis Paul Motaze, expressed delight over improvement in revenue collection in the sector.

"I am very happy with my people of the Customs Department in the North West Region, because they are very resilient. 

Despite all the difficulties, their results are quite good and performance are generally higher than the target I gave them. This is one of the ways we have to give them a better working condition," he said. 

The minister did not cease in showering praises on workers of the North West Customs sector.

He disclosed that: “In 2023, you mobilised resources for the state budget beyond expectations for the 4th consecutive year, and in difficult conditions. This deserves an applause”.

He continued that: “In 2024, expectations are even more as expressed by 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”.

NW Chief of Customs boss promises more results

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, North West Customs sector chief, Customs Inspector Epie Jerome, saluted the choice of Bamenda as host of the launch of activities of the 2024 International Customs Day.

He said the city was playing host to the strategic event for the second time after it first hosted the ceremony in January 2018. 

Epie recalled that “the highlight then was the signing of a partnership agreement between the Directorate General of Customs and the University of Bamenda for the professional training of students at the Institute of Transport and Logistics”.

Turning to other issues, Epie Jerome rejoiced that the laying of the foundation stone of the North West Customs sector headquarters was a milestone.

He recounted that: "Last year, the Director General of Customs paid us a visit in Bamenda to acknowledge the fact that our plight was understood by the ministry and to give us a pad on the back for the spectacular achievement that we have achieved in revenue collection, despite the prevailing crisis situation".

He then assured the minister of finance and authorities of his personnel will to do everything possible to improve on their services in the North West Region.

He told authorities that in 2023, the North West Customs sector collected over 500 million FCFA in revenue.

The North West customs boss equally revealed that despite the increase in revenue collection and the numerous successes, they equally faced a lot of challenges as a result of the socio-political crisis in terms of revenue collection.

Epie was however confident that: "A new sector building for the North West Customs sector will create an environment for collective innovation, productivity and wellbeing as well as a space where personnel can work and relax".

Enter Bamenda City Mayor

Earlier, the City Mayor of Bamenda, Achobong Tambeng Paul, said the visit of Minister Louis Paul Motaze was historic and unprecedented.

The municipal authority confessed that “ever since I was born in this town over fifty years ago, I have not heard of any official visit of any Minister of Finance to Bamenda”.

He said the presence of the Minister at the event is “testament to the importance that government places on customs and trade in our Region”.

Turning to the issue of the day, Mayor Achobong told the Minister that “as we lay the foundation stone for the construction of the new Customs office, we are laying the groundwork for a more efficient and effective Customs administration that will serve the needs of our growing economy and contribute to our regional and municipal development”.

It was disclosed that the North West Customs sector headquarters to be constructed by Integrated Engineering Associates, ICA Sarl, will span a period of 36 months.

According to the representative of ICA, Moundaman Bennett, the building will occupy a surface area of 5,200 metres square and will gulp 1,281,710,704 FCFA.

The building consists of a principal section of offices, the basement, ground floor, two floors, 14 offices including a conference room, a fence and others.