VICTORIA, Seychelles — Seychelles is reinforcing efforts to enhance supply chain security and combat illicit trade through the second phase of the Container Control Programme, a Port Control Unit theoretical training led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Customs Organisation. The opening ceremony, held at the National Museum conference room yesterday morning, marked the launch of an intensive two-week training programme, a significant milestone for the Seychelles Revenue Commission as it continues to strengthen its capabilities in trade enforcement.
Key stakeholders, including the Seychelles Police Force, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Seychelles Ports Authority, are actively participating in this initiative, further solidifying inter-agency collaboration. Law enforcement expert Edmund Landy Tei gave a brief rundown of the first phase, explaining that it was mostly to build the capacity of the participants on how to analyse maritime and commercial documents, look at illicit commodities and identify them in a classroom setting. The two weeks will be more practical, involving going to the field to put into practice what was learned during the theoretical training of the first phase.
‘This will be more of analysing documents that we received in the pod, how to open containers, how to search containers, how to identify illicit commodities and the rest,’ he stated. SRC’s Commissioner of Customs, Paul Barrack, noted that the work is about protecting not just the country’s economy and security, but also customs officers themselves. Customs Officer Level 4 and participant Sylvie Nibourette said this phase will be more practical within the port itself, with participants having the chance to interact with importers and complete the manifest. UNODC Regional Representative Ashita Mittal reaffirmed the UN’s support towards Seychelles.
