Customs Duty Recovery - Vehicles, Motorcycles to Spur Efficiency

The government of Cameroon has dished out state-of-the-art field vehicles and motorcycles to the Directorate General of Customs to help it surmount field challenges of fraud, contraband goods as well as safeguarding national frontiers. Finance Minister, Alamine Ousmane Mey, yesterday June 25 in the courtyard of the Yaounde City Council handed over the 10 Prado jeeps, 15 mini-buses, 30 Toyota vehicles and 100 motorcycles to Chiefs of Customs Sector in all the ten regions as well as to other services attached to the Directorate General of Customs.

Speaking during the ceremony, Alamine Ousmane Mey said the logistics come to bridge the gap that the Customs sector has faced in the past decade. "Over the last ten years, we have not acquired sufficient material for the Customs Service. Today, we have been able to realise an important investment in terms of acquiring 155 vehicles and bikes to serve the entire country. This is also to ensure that the commitment to improve and modernise Customs services is met," the Minister said.

He added that the investment is in line with government's efforts to improve the performance of Customs staff. "We want to make sure that the revenue projection of FCFA 550 billion for this year is met. We want to make sure that our Customs department is able to deliver the expected results on time and in quality as well as respecting good governance." The Minister expressed satisfaction at the fact that although the working conditions were not the best, Customs officials defied all odds to collect FCFA 243 billion for State coffers as at May 31, 2012.

To the Director General of Customs, Minette Libom Li Likeng, the acquisition of the logistics ignites joy in them but is a challenge at the same time. "This is because when the government undertakes such an investment, it is also waiting for results. We are aware of it and we are going to work harder to surmount challenges on the field," she assured. A view corroborated by Bella Ambatinda, Chief of Sector, East Region, Ndzenyuy Henry, Chief of Sector Littoral 2 and Alima Nga, Chief of Sector, South West. "The vehicles and bikes will not only boost the image of the Customs, but their efficiency as well. Our task is so daunting that what we have received could just be considered a drop in the ocean. But the little is already something; for a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. We are sure that as our results improve, more support will come," they said.