Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 27th, 2012 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Finance is as enthusiastic as graduates of a Customs training course which concluded here this week.
 
A number of Customs and ministry of finance officials joined parents and well wishers gathered to celebrate a new cadre of officers in a course closing and graduation ceremony chaired by Customs and Excise Public Relations Officer Larry Vaughan on Monday March 26 at the department’s grounds.
 
The Junior Officers Basic Training Course which ran from January 28 to March 23, 2012, was undertaken under the auspices of the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) and saw participation from twenty four Customs officers from the St. Kitts and Nevis Customs and Excise Departments and the Montserrat Customs and Excise Department.
 
In opening remarks Comptroller of Customs Rodney Harris said changing times and changing trends in border crimes have greatly changed the dynamics of customs operations, and compels customs departments to perform more than just traditional roles of revenue collection and border protection. As a result, updated training is of vital importance.

“Our border security efforts must be constantly fitted with continuous training to control the changing trends in border crimes” said Mr. Harris. “Training in this area could be very wide ranging from drug detection and identification, to IT training in respect of cyber crimes.”

“Changing times have seen the use of mules to move large sums of money” he said. “These changing times have greatly changed the dynamics of our operations and we truly feel that our survival depends greatly on training and more training.”

The Comptroller specially applauded the Nevis and Montserrat participants for their hard work, he encouraged them to return to work with a different frame of mind.

Mr. Theodore Browne, Assistant Comptroller with responsibility for training and also the 2012 CCLEC Course Coordinator gave an overview of the exercise. He said two new topics were added to this year’s instruction to compliment numerous other topics covered.

Mr. Browne, speaking from certainty that the class of 2012 participants have all been transformed from this spate of education, encouraged the group to follow up and pursue the Bachelor of Arts programme in Customs Management now available.

“There were two new topics added to the course this year” said Mr. Browne, “The Importance of the Bureau of Standards and Maritime ISPS Awareness.”

Also in attendance was Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas – under whose portfolio the Customs Department falls. The Prime Minster, as he brought words of congratulation, reminded graduates of their role alongside other security forces as part of the first line of defense in this country.

He reiterated that the many social services offered by Government come with a cost that depends heavily on the duties levied and revenue collected by customs and excise.

“As I said to you when we met at Spice Mill restaurant almost two months ago” said Prime Minister Douglas, “you are now part of the first line of defense along with our Immigration officials, and those in the security forces in the defense of our nation.”

“It costs money therefore to run a government” said Dr. Douglas, “and it is therefore essential that we remember and we understand that the fair and courteous collection of fees and duties by you our officers is your way of contributing to the Government’s programmes to provide education, healthcare, to upkeep our highways and all the other services that we all wish for all of us as citizens of this country that we all love so much.”

The Finance Minister said just as Government is committed to the modernization of Customs through technology, the highest possible professionalism and the fairest treatment of customers will be expected. He told the graduates vigilance must be the key as they partner with other Government departments like the St. Kitts Air and Seaports Authority (SCASPA), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Police and Defense Forces.

The feature address was delivered by the Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Representative to St. Kitts and Nevis Mr. Starret Greene. Ambassador Greene, like speakers before him, admonished graduates to strive for a culture of professionalism and named it the hallmark of survival for any company or agency.

Remaining resolute and purposeful and showing strength of character and will, were some words of advice given by the Ambassador.

“…and so graduates, as you return to your workstations tomorrow to discharge your assigned duties I exhort you to let professionalism be your guide” said Ambassador Greene. “By this I mean take pride in yourself and your work.”

“Remain resolute and purposeful, be organized, show fortitude under pressure, refuse no opportunity for developing your knowledge and mind, show strength of character and will” Ambassador Greene said.

“Exercise self control at all times, let integrity be your moral compass. Be sociable at the right time and under the right circumstances. Strive to be a person of distinction, always be accountable and responsible.”

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