At Int’l Customs Day celebration: NW Customs Sector boss lauds professionalism, resilience of personnel.

The sector boss praised his collaborators during an interview with The Guardian Post in Yaounde. This was on the sidelines of celebrations marking the International Customs Day. The International Customs Day celebration, held January 27, was chaired by the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze. 

In the interview, the Customs sector boss said the professionalism and resilience of the customs staff under his command, led the sector to achieve big in 2024 despite the tough socio-economic context of the sector caused by ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions. 

He indicated that despite the ongoing crisis in the region, the sector mobilised cumulatively 108% of its target for the year 2024.

Out of a total target of 326 million FCFA assigned by the customs hierarchy, the sector generated over 357 million FCFA cumulatively from January to December 2024. 

“We were one of the few custom sectors that collected over or above what hierarchy requested of them. So, it’s another milestone for us, even though we did not get to 500 million FCAF like we did the previous year…,” Epie told The Guardian Post.

According to him, the revenue generated in 2024, which saw a drop from the performance in 2023, was marred by separatist-enforced lockdowns and ghost towns. He added that the lockdowns sometimes became repeated, thus frustrating socio-economic activities. 

“This work is not done by Mr Epie alone. It is done by a team. My team and I have the credit for the work done. If I were working alone, I don’t think these targets would be met but because I have a team of people who are determined, professional and resilient,” the head of sector said. 

“My people are with me and they know that I will fight for them. So, I want to thank all the personnel of the North West Custom sector,” he added.

As of January 27, he said the sector has already achieved about 75% of the month’s target set at about 37 million FCFA. He then stressed that his sector was committed to ensuring they reach the target or get close to the target. 

“Targets are given on a monthly basis and you attack each month following the target that has been assigned to you but we are pretty sure that if we have been able to work very well in January, the other months are not going to be a problem,” Epie said.  

While noting that the month of February is another short month, he assured that his collaborators are determined to start effectively from the 1st of February to ensure they don't fall short of their February target.

“They are very resilient. They are determined and they have a mind to do everything that is wanted by the Customs hierarchy but they also want that the hierarchy should also recognise them someday,” Epie added.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3359 of Tuesday February 04, 2025