The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has announced the appointment of Velma Ricketts Walker as the new Commissioner of Customs and Chief Executive Office for the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA).
She will assume duties on Monday, April 10.
The ministry says Ricketts Walker has more than 17 years experience in customs administration, trade facilitation, risk analysis, strategic planning, international trade, security, compliance and enforcement.
In 2011 she served as Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement, with the Customs Agency.
She was previously employed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a Revenue Administration Adviser where she assisted regional customs administration with the development and strengthening of its risk management programs and organisational strategic reform.
Ricketts Walker takes over from Major Richard Reese, whose contract was not renewed in February.
The Finance Ministry says the with the new appointment, the acting commissioner of customs Pamella Folkes will resume her duties as Deputy Financial Secretary of the Taxation Policy Division in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
There had been speculation that the Government was eyeing former contractor general Greg Christie to take the reins at Jamaica Customs.
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
