Inclusive approach needed to manage Cameroon’s borders - Minister

The Minister of Finance, Alamine Ousmane Mey, has said an inclusive approach is needed in the management of the Cameroon’s borders, especially with rising insecurity in the Far North and Eastern part of the country.

“Armed attacks by terrorists and rebel groups in the Far North and Eastern borders, have led to the closure of six customs posts, causing the loss of billions of FCFA. So, I invite all stakeholders involved with borders management to work together with forces of law and order and traders, to secure the country’s borders,” Alamine said.

He made the call on January 26, while presiding over celebrations to commemorate World Customs Day with focus on “The inclusive coordination and management of the country’s borders.”

According to the Finance Boss, the way forward to combat cross-border crimes like contraband, trafficking mineral, laundry, poaching, fraud, is to integrate the customs in the strategies of other departments in a bid to secure the borders.

“Customs have to develop their capacity in terms of the mobilisation of resources and protecting our economic environment. Also, it is now time for customs administration to go a step further in making sure that customs play its role in terms of security, peace and stability and this will be only through a concerted effort. The challenges of the future are enormous, therefore, we do have to protect our borders to promote development,” the Finance boss advised.

Alamine showered praises on the customs technological development for raising circa FCFA 7 billion in 2014, which was far more than the revenue expected. He added that the customs revenue will have been higher if not of the closure of six customs posts, causing the Directorate of Customs to lose circa FCFA 5 million monthly.

For her part, the Director General of Customs, Minette Libom Li Likeng, said the focus of the World Customs Day on the inclusive management of borders, has grounds in the Cameroon case, given the rising insecurity as well as trafficking of goods that are some of the drawbacks to customs service.

Li Likeng urged the various stakeholders to bring up innovative strategies that highlight the surveillance of customs security measures that have been so much dormant.

As a sign of appreciation, the customs boss presented gifts from the World Customs Organisation and well-wishers to workers going on retirement. Eleven workers were promoted to higher ranks for the deserving service.

The General Directorate of Customs is expected to raise, this year, the sum of FCFA 692.7 billion of the State budget which stands at FCFA 3746.6 billion. The figure has increased by FCFA 54 billion as compared to last year.

Observers hold that this is daunting task, considering six customs posts in the Far North Region which have been closed due to the rising insecurity.