LISTEN: Government to allocate $1 million for new validation officers to tackle Customs theft

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the government will allocate $1 million in next year’s national budget to recruit and train private citizens as validation officers to strengthen oversight and curb theft within the Customs Department.

The move comes amid what Browne described as “endemic corruption and widespread leakage” within the system, which he said has cost the country millions in lost revenue and undermined public trust.

Under the new initiative, independent validation officers will be stationed to spot-check containers and monitor import verification procedures, ensuring that goods cleared at the ports are accurately declared and assessed.

The officers will not be regular public servants but specially contracted civilians.