The customs administration in Cameroon now has fresh blood from the Inter-State CEMAC Customs Institute in Bangui on whom it can count for efficiency in controlling the circulation of goods as well as revenue collection. The Cameroonian contingent from the sub-regional school received their end-of-course attestations in Yaounde on Monday June 16 in a ceremony during which the Director of the School, Leka Roger and the Director General of Cameroon's Customs, Minette Libom Li Likeng both prescribed assiduity, respect for hierarchy and norms as cardinal principles with which they can combine with the knowledge gained during the two-year training to propel the country's customs administration to efficiency.

Monday's graduation in Yaounde comprising the 19th batch of customs controllers and the 35th batch of customs agents was the first in the country since the creation of the school in 1972. The choice, like it will be the case in other countries that had candidates there, is as a result of insurgence in Bangui, Central African Republic, headquarters of the institute. Minette Libom Li Likeng said the customs officials trained in another context with the aspect of regional integration inbuilt in them is an added advantage for the country's customs administration. "We are hopeful that they will encourage those already there and contribute their quota so that together we can attain our objectives of optimal revenue collection and then ensuring a safe and secured environment. They are the ambassadors of integration in our midst," she said.

According to one of the officers, Nelson Njoh Njinda, the training added a lot of skills in them which will be put in for the success of the country's customs administration. "Before going to the school, we did not know so many things but today we have been totally transformed. We are ready to serve and implement reforms if given the chance that can galvanise the customs administration in Cameroon," he said. For two years, the officers went through 25 different courses (basic courses on customs administration, general knowledge and CEMAC sub region).