The three-day regional meeting of the West Africa Customs Organization
(WCO) and West African Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project
phase 1 ended Friday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Banjul.
The Gambia Revenue Authority hosted the forum which attracted participants within the sub-region.
The purpose of the three-day convergent was to look into the achievements of the WACAM project phase 1 final event and carve out the road map for the next four years of phase 2.
In his closing remarks, Essa Jallow of GRA commended the participants for their commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated in reviewing phase 1 and planning for phase 2 of the WACAM Project.
“I have been informed that the meeting has identified key regional challenges affecting administrations, and the participants have come up with recommendations to addressing them,” Mr Jallow said.
Mr Jallow said on behalf of the board, management and staff of GRA, he would like to thank the WCO capacity-building directorate for choosing The Gambia to host the review meeting.
Erick Kieck, Director of capacity building Directorate at WCO, described the three-day as a very successful meeting, saying a lot has been discussed among countries and experience and lessons have been learnt with more plan put in place for the next four years of the WCO-WACAM project phase 2.
He also appealed to WCO to continue to support The Gambia, particularly in the areas of capacity building, to ensure effective and efficient service delivery system.
Anyanwu Bede, a participant from Nigeria, commended the Director of Customs Administration for the successful meeting and thanked the management and board of the GRA for the commitment in ensuring the regional meeting was successfully realised in The Gambia.
