Top post at Customs remains vacant

Chang

THE CUSTOMS Modernisation Programme is reportedly weeks behind the government's schedule because of the continued vacancy for the chief executive officer, who is integral in the administration of the programme through its preliminary stages.

"Yes, there have been some delays, and we are past the targeted starting date of May 1, but we are still in the process of negotiating with consultants to facilitate the modernisation, process and further, there has to be a selection of a CEO, someone who will lead the modernisation push. At the moment, we're still scheduling interviews for the short-listed applicants for the CEO post," Mr. Ricardo Corrie, senior project officer of the Public Sector Modernisation Project, said.

The Customs Modernisation Programme falls under the purview of the Public Sector Modernisation Project.

Mr. Corrie said applications have been received from locals and overseas residents.

"I am not at liberty to give the names of the applicants for the post, but I will say that there are seven of them, three who are locals, and four foreign applicants. There is no timeline as to when a CEO will be chosen, but we plan to expedite the process as best as we can."

He also declined to reveal the salary the CEO will get.

"The salary will be negotiated between the Jamaican government and the successful applicant," he said.

At the recent monthly board meeting of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Anthony Chang, its president, questioned the reason for the hold-up in the Customs Modernisation Pro-gramme, which should have come on stream on May 1.

Mr. Chang said the CofC membership was anxious to hear word from the authorities on the matter, as the programme formed an integral part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the local private sector and government to jump-start the local productive sector.

The government is undertaking the Public Sector Modernisation Project to improve the service and other elements of performance of specified state-owned entities through the establishment of agencies with increased autonomy and specified performance targets; among those entities is the Jamaica Customs Department.

According to an ad published in The Gleaner months ago, the person appointed would have the authority over the assessment of about $20 billion in duties and taxes, standards and licensing of brokers and warehouses, contraband enforcement and trade facilitation.

Meanwhile, the behind-the-scenes work in anticipation of the modernisation programme which will introduce technology as a means of ensuring efficiency and the bolstering of public confidence continues.

"Certain job functions will change, staff will have to undergo training to reflect what is happening with WTO specifications, customs officers will now become customs inspectors, and there will be focus of the frontline, so there will be an increase in personnel wherever it is appropriate and necessary," Mr. Corrie said.

How many jobs will be lost as a result of this programme?

"With the computerisation of redesigned business processes, there will be an adjustment in staff to allow for that, but there are other areas where similar adjustments will be required, so while we have an estimate in mind, but it's just a guide, and it would not be judicious to reveal that at this time

The Governance Network Canadian Company, led by partner Dr. Jim Armstrong, is the major consultant involved with the project.

"This is the same firm that prepared the modernisation plan, and we hope that having developed a detailed plan, we hope to minimise any difficulties associated with change," Mr. Corrie explained.

In a recently-released government commission study, the cost of customs evasion was estimated at $8 billion.

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