Boko Haram attacks lead to reduction in customs revenue

In 2014, the customs revenue collected in the far north region of Cameroon has dropped by over one billion Cfa francs, revealed January 22, 2015 in Yaoundé, during a forum organized by the Directorate General of customs at the Ministry of finance, under the theme: "Cameroon customs, the challenge of the coordinated management of borders in conditions of insecurity.

"Prior to these attacks, in terms of revenue, we realized about 5 billion Cfa francs per year. The bulk of revenues came from customs stations of Fotokol and Kousseri.

In 2014, we had 3.9 billion Cfa francs of revenue, thanks to the excellent performance of the position of Fotokol in the first half. But the figures fell from July with the bombing of this spot by Boko Haram, said Jean Marie Wetondieu, head the customs of the far North area.

Facing growing insecurity, noted the head of Cameroon customs, "decision has been taken to suspend activities in certain places like Fotokol, Kolofata, Dabanga, Limani, Mblame," where the incessant attacks of the Nigerian Islamist sect led to abductions, or even to the death of men.