At graduation of Customs trainees: MINFI boss calls for inter-generational synergy for more modern, efficient Customs.

The member of government made the call while chairing the graduation ceremony of trainees at the Customs Training Centre, CTC campus in Nomayos, Yaounde.

The ceremony was organised on September 13. It was also attended by Minister Joseph Le of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakari of Employment and Vocational Training, as well as the Governor of the Centre Region, Nasseri Paul Bea and the Director General of the Customs Department, Fongod Edwin Nuvaga,

It was organised to send forth trainee students in Customs category C (Assistant Inspectors and Customs Brigadiers) as well as the first batch of Customs declarants, under the Customs Transit Vocational Training Course.

In his key-note address, the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, congratulated the graduands for their hard work, devotion and perseverance during training period. 

He then called on the trainees who will be integrated into the different posts of responsibilities within the public service, to give their utmost best to ensure that the Customs service becomes ever more modern and efficient. 

The member of government then stressed the need for a close synergy between all generations of those involved in Customs trade, to ensure that the Customs Department achieve all the objectives assigned to them by the government. 

Enter Director of Customs Training Centre

For her part, the Director of the Customs Training Centre, Bowombe Tabi Berthe Angèle, saluted the assiduity and commitment of the trainees to the training programme. 

While presenting the context, stages and results of the training courses, the director of the training centre indicated that both batches of trainees recorded a 100% success rate. 

According to Bowombe Tabi, the Customs assistant inspectors and brigadiers, who were 80 in numbers, spent two months at the Customs Training Centre Nomayos for initial training and advanced training in the Customs profession.

They also spent another two months at the Airborne Troops Battalion Koutaba, in the West Region, for advanced military training.

For the Customs declarants, under the Customs Transit Vocational Training Course, she disclosed that the 375 trainees were equipped with knowledge of Customs regulations, litigation, procedures, tariff technology and valuation as well as the Cameroon Customs Information System, CAMCIS application. 

Trainees hail tutors

During the grandiose ceremony, the efforts of the teaching staff at the training centre were acknowledged and appreciated by the trainees.

The voices of the trainees were echoed through their representative, Riena Awa Njoya.

According to the trainees’ representative, the knowledge they acquired is thanks to the professionalism and availability of the teaching staff. 

She stated that some of the trainees had already found jobs with great prospects in view for them.

She also pledged they will represent the Customs training with pride and honour wherever they go. 

Trainees recognised

One of the high points of the graduation ceremony was the award of certificates and special prizes to meritorious trainees.

Some 21 trainees received special distinctions for discipline, collaboration and academic excellence.

Certificates of completion of vocational training were handed to 78 trainees Customs Categories C and 275 trainees of the trade logistics chain. 

Meanwhile, special recognitions were handed to some important personalities. 

The Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, got the Prize for Excellence; the Director General of Customs, Fongod Edwin Nuvaga, got the Prize for Management; and the Director of the Customs Training Centre, Bowombe Tabi Berthe Angèle, received the prize for the operationalisation of the CTC.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3233 of Wednesday September 18, 2024