Monrovia, Liberia – In honor of the 73rd International Customs Day (ICD), the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Customs Department joined customs administrations worldwide in acknowledging the critical role that customs officers play in promoting economic growth, facilitating trade, and improving global security.
The topic for this year’s event was “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.”
The event featured a keynote address by G. Alphonso Gaye, a former Grand Gedeh County Senator and the CEO and financial management consultant of the Financial Quality Group LLC. Gaye called on customs officers to stay focused on their primary duty of collecting taxes, which is essential to the development of the country, and underlined the important role that customs play in economic growth in his speech.
Gaye warned against acts that might compromise the efficiency of tax collection and encouraged LRA customs officers and officials to maintain professionalism and honesty in his address, “A Vibrant Customs Administration is Key to Economic Development.” He emphasized the value of customs as a safeguard for national income and a means of promoting commerce in order to support a thriving Liberian economy.
“Your work must be to protect revenue and facilitate trade for a prosperous Liberian economy and make the Customs Department a leading authority in the region and beyond,” said Gaye.
In order to strengthen Liberia’s standing in international commerce, he further urged the customs administration to continue its commitment to developing a capable and creative customs system.
James Dorbor Jallah, Commissioner General of the LRA, stressed that income mobilization is central to Liberia’s development agenda. He commended the Customs Department for surpassing its income goal by 8%, pointing out that this accomplishment demonstrates the department’s tenacity and commitment in the face of many obstacles.
“This achievement is an important step in achieving Liberia’s Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategy (DRMS) objectives.” He said.
The LRA’s dedication to enhancing digital systems within customs operations was reiterated by CG Jallah, who said, “Our commitment to a fully digital customs system will further enhance efficiency, foster trade, and drive sustainable economic growth.”
Saa Saamoi, the LRA Customs Commissioner, also acknowledged the unwavering work of customs personnel despite difficult working conditions. He emphasized recent achievements including the automation of customs systems, the active involvement of LRA Customs officials at international forums, and the training of officers under the Customs Security Program.
As the LRA strives to achieve the lofty target of collecting one billion dollars in income, Saamoi called on officers to step up their efforts to ensure the collection of legitimate money. Key government officials, members of the combined security forces, and corporate players attended the event, which took place in Monrovia. The World Customs Organization (WCO) created International Customs Day in 1953 to commemorate the first meeting of the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) in Brussels, Belgium.
The festival acts as a reminder of the vital role traditions play in promoting economic growth and development, safeguarding national boundaries, and facilitating international trade.
