Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) celebrated World Customs Day last week Friday. World Customs Day is normally celebrated on January 26 every year.
Instituted by the World Customs Organization (WCO), International Customs Day is held on January 26, which commemorates the day in 1953 when the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) was held in Brussels, Belgium.
This year’s slogan was ‘customs, fostering sustainability for people, prosperity and the planet.
Home affairs official ‘Matlotliso Thelejane said Basotho should appreciate Customs Day as it is important to everyone who uses the borders.
She said it gets rid of long queues and any illegal imports or imports that might take place. She encouraged all stakeholders involved to come together to always make customs operations a smooth sailing one.
Activities to mark the day included the awarding of appreciation awards to members of LRA customs staff clearing agencies, ministry of home affairs immigration through immigration and ministries of police and public service.
LRA commissioner general Thabo Khasipe congratulated those who were awarded certificates and encouraged them to keep on doing the great job that they are doing.
He further said it is important to recognise people who are doing a good job so that they can feel appreciated and be able to continue doing a good job.
“Customs are very important for our country’s economic state. That is one thing I compare it to a midwife, it is close to impossible to run a country that does not have customs or that has a poor service delivery in customs.
