Customs focuses on awareness

 PNG Customs Service has earmarked awareness activities as one of its main priorities this year. 

Customs Commissioner Ray Paul said each division in Customs had been tasked to ensure awareness activities become part of their monthly divisional work plans. 

Activities will range from big programmes to small visitations in close proximity of Customs offices around the country.

“I want all Customs officers to be involved in the awareness programme,” Paul said.   

“We anticipate improvement in the areas of border security, trade facilitation and revenue collection. 

“It is important to inform people and ensure they are made aware of the work of Customs and what is expected of them.”

A recent major awareness activity was conducted in Madang last month where Customs officers visited three schools and one local community. 

“We are targeting school children because they are our future and we do not want them to engage in illegal activities when they leave school,” Paul said.

“We are also targeting local communities who are located in ‘hot spots’ where smuggling of drugs, weapons and other illegal items is prevalent.

“Customs aims to educate, establish and maintain communication with these communities so that they can assist the organisation by providing information that Customs and police need to combat illegal activities in those communities and the surrounding areas.” 

Places visited in Madang included Divine Word University, Malala Secondary School, Megiar Primary School and the Awar village in Bogia.