By Macwalter Njapteh
The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Unitary State at the Bamenda Commercial Avenue chaired by Governor Adolf Lele L’Afrique.
The participation of the customs officers in the military parade last Friday May 20 was highly acclaimed by the Representative of the Head of State amongst other personalities present at the tribune.
According to the North West Customs Chief of Sector, the participation of his troops was rated satisfactory.
“Sitting at the tribune and watching my troop march pass in front of the representative of the Head of State and the caucus of the region makes me a proud Chief of Sector,” Epie told reporter in Bamenda.
Hailing his troops, the chief of sector said “I wish to applaud the courage and sense of patriotism demonstrated by the officers of the North West Customs Sector in spite of the prevailing situation”.
“They are proud of their country and her institutions. Only a united, devoted and patriotic personnel would want to sacrifice everything to attain this milestone,” the pious chief of sector added.
Last month, the Head of State signed a decision to admit the customs administration into the Defence and Security family and to participate in all security meeting as well as take part of military parade.
According to him, the participation of the customs troops in the region was characterised by enthusiasm in appreciation of the decision by the Head of State.
“Very recently, the customs administration was admitted by the Head of State into the Defence and Security family and so it was imperative that we participate with enthusiasm more than ever before to demonstrate to the Head of State, the Minister of Finance and also the Director General of Customs that we welcome and appreciate that decision,” the elated sector boss stated.
Salutes collaboration with military
Meanwhile, the pragmatic customs administrator also used the opportunity to thank Commander of the 5th Joint Military Region, General Nka Valere; the Commander of the 5th Gendarmerie region, General Ekongwese Divine Nnoko and the Commander of the 51st Motorised Infantry Battalion, Colonel Sadjou Waseni, under whose supervision the customs troops rehearsed for the march past in Bamenda.
While appreciating the Governor for always encouraging the customs troops to actively participate in festivities without any distractions, the level-headed Jerome Epie equally acknowledged the Customs administration headed by Edwin Fongod as Director General for assigning a quota of 65 customs officers to the North West Customs, out of the 1,020 that took part in the Golden Jubilee celebration across the country.
It should be recalled that this year’s 20th May celebration was placed under the theme, “Defence and Security Forces at the service of the people, for the preservation of social peace and national cohesion, a guarantee for an emerging Cameroon”.
