By Gibao Brima

Since January 26th is been declared as World Customs Day, Customs Lungi Branch has joined the rest of the world to celebrate this day.

Declaring the purpose of the celebration Mr Abraham B. Lavalie manager for Customs Lungi Branch at Freetown International Airport underscores that World Customs Day is the International Customs Day celebrated on 26th January every year.

Speaking of the  theme”Customs Delivering On Its Commitments to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity” manager Lavalie said day was dedicated to the united efforts of Customs to support people in businesses by support strengthening the global supply chain, enforcing collaborating, harnessing

technology with every partners at the center of the transformation process.

Mr Lawrence Conteh, head of operations at the Freetown International Airport, who doubles as the Chairman of the celebration said anyone who works at Airport is part of the aviation, adding that the Airport is not the only entity that provides security but that Customs at the Airport have been and still continues to help to provide security in their little way for which those at the Aviation Department are grateful of.

Giving her keynote address Madam Betty Brima attached at Freetown International Airport Customs in Lungi said  their participation  on every aviation meetings, have been key. They have been also participating in all programmes

that are related to security drive and comply with the corrective action plans that originat from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Dilating further Madam Betty Brima said in this interconnected world the role of customs at national and international Security Customs Authority has not been political.

They have always acted as the first line of defense against threats such as on smuggling, terrorism, human trafficking, combating illicit trade in narcotics drugs and on counterfeit products.

This measures have helped to provide public safety standards in health and international properties rights, she said.

And International  collaboration has been key since security boarders-threats transcend our crossing points and that is why we are always working together with other world leaders, she added.

In the area of capacity building Madam Betty Brima said the Aviation Authority always call for security meetings, involving all stakeholders on the meetings to help build up their capacities. She however told Government, and international business partners that they at the Freetown International Airport are always ready to show up any collaborations.

She further extended their thanks and appreciations to Commissioner General of National Revenue Authority Madam Jeneba Bangura for her support to all customs units countrywide as they celebrate this day.

She also thanked all units working at the Freetown International Airport including all development partners in the Aviation world to continue to help the customs sector  to be able to deliver on this theme this year.

Other units at the Freetown International Airport were able to make meaningful contributions.