The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has commenced a weeklong intensive training program on Monday, May 27, 2024, for 30 frontline customs officers from 11 Customs Business Offices (CBOs) across the country.
Held in Ganta, Nimba County, this training aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of the officers in modern customs administration to boost revenue growth.
Assistant Customs Commissioner for Ports Operations, Edwin F. Kendema, highlighted the critical areas covered in the training, including border management, social protection, facilitation of legitimate international trade, and the collection of customs duties and related fees.
This initiative is part of the LRA’s broader competency development strategy aimed at bolstering the capabilities of its personnel.
“The training is designed to provide our officers with the latest practices adopted by Customs administrations regarding the Harmonized System (HS) Code or Customs Tariff Classification, Valuation, Assessment, and Customs Clearing Procedures at land borders, as well as air and seaports,” stated LRA Assistant Commissioner for Technical Operations, Attorney William L. Buku. He emphasized the vital role customs play in the trade supply chain and the need for constant capacity building.
Participants come from various CBOs, including Mendicorma, Yealla, Jorwah, Ganta, Yekepa, Loguatuo, Buchanan, RIA, LPRC, and the Freeport of Monrovia.
During the opening ceremony, Kendema underscored the importance of the training in achieving the LRA’s ambitious goal of reaching the billion-dollar revenue collection mark for the current fiscal year. He noted that Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah has articulated Team LRA’s intention to meet this target, and training frontline customs officers is a significant step in that direction.
“The desire to increase revenue collection is intended to expand the national government’s fiscal spending space to execute more development programs for the people of Liberia,” Kendema highlighted.
He further noted that the Customs Department, as a core revenue collection unit within the LRA, has initiated a series of capacity enhancement activities, starting with the Ganta In-Service Training. “This training will equip our staff with the necessary tools and skill sets to meet the challenge of collecting lawful revenue and ensuring social protection for the people of Liberia,” he added.
Senior and middle-level experts from the Customs and Human Resources departments of the LRA are facilitating the training. The curriculum includes modules on Customs Risk Management, an introduction to the Customs Security Program, and staff career planning and competency development. Kendema encouraged all participants to engage fully in the sessions and actively participate in discussions and group activities.
The comprehensive training underscores the LRA’s commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of customs operations, contributing to Liberia’s economic growth and development. The LRA, as the government agency entrusted with the collection of taxes, customs duties, and other revenues in Liberia, remains unwavering in its commitment to efficient tax administration, transparency, and professionalism, all geared towards contributing to the development and prosperity of the nation.
