New customs post goes operational at Douala-Bangui corridor

The first consignment of goods from the Douala port arrived in the CAR’s capital Bangui on Monday through a new customs post whose rehabilitation works had delayed because of political uncertainty in that country.

The reopening of the post brings a sigh of relief to the traffic controllers on the Douala-Bangui highway which had been working during the rehabilitation period.

“For us this is a great day for the customs department because this post has been existing for more than three years now. It was closed during the conflict and we had difficulties when the vehicles arrived from Douala,” Customs Director, Daniel Ngueremi said.

The PK 26 customs post had been looted and attacked by vandals during the political instability of 2013.

The Central African Republic armed forces and the UN forces will be deployed to provide security for the custom post.

“It is symbolic. More will be done as the country moves towards more achievements,” deputy director of customs, Aubin Martinien Koyanga said.

The custom unit of the Central African Republic has adopted new computer systems which will be used henceforth.

The system is connected to GPS and helps in tracing goods so as to ensure proper security of operations on the Douala-Bangui corridor.