THE Ministry of Finance and the Public Service on Wednesday urged importers to collect their goods from Customs as soon as they arrive in the island.

Senior advisor at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Viralee Latibeaudiere, made the call when she spoke on behalf of minister without portfolio in the ministry, Fayval Williams, at the reopening of Queen’s Warehouse on Spanish Town Road in St Andrew.

“Yes, we have this renovated space in addition to two others to house items that have been on the port for over the specified period of time, but we want you to collect your items.

“…We need the space so that the agency can be more efficient as it pertains to the stripping of containers and storage of packages. Space is a limited commodity and if we are able to manage the space at the warehouse, it would translate to better management of our space at the port,” Latibeaudiere said.

Williams, she said, has emphasised the need for efficiency of operation at Jamaica Customs Agency, which includes a quick turnaround time for importers collecting their goods and paying required fees.

Queen’s Warehouse, which was closed in 2015 due to concerns by the St Andrew Public Health Department, has undergone extensive refurbishing, making it more conducive for staff as well as bidders who participate in scheduled auctions.

“With the guidance of the Public Health Department, the National Environment Planning Agency and the Jamaica Fire Brigade we were able to make the necessary changes and institute the relevant measures to render it fit and proper to operate effectively. I want to take the opportunity to thank those entities for the support given,” Commissioner of Customs Velma Ricketts Walker said Wednesday.

Despite being closed for almost three years, the warehouse — which is the largest among the three operated by Jamaica Customs — managed to rake in more than $460 million during the 2015-2017 period.

“Remember 2015 we closed, the revenue intake was $69 million. 2016 to March 2017, revenue intake was $229 million. April 2017 to February [2018], $168 million. Now remember, we are re-opening it [after] closing in 2015 and the facility continue to do what they can, they have worked outside of the box. A lot of them became very chocolaty in complexion as a [result of] exposure to the sun, but it showed me that we have a team who is committed no matter what. I can’t overemphasise how important that is, and how appreciative the agency is for the work you have done. Thank you, again,” Ricketts Walker said.

The commissioner, while noting that Jamaica Customs is ranked sixth in the Latin American and the Caribbean region, said the agency will be undertaking new strategies to take the number one spot from Mexico.

“The agency has identified several key strategies that we will be employing in 2018/2019 financial year… including embracing our governance framework, intensifying our border protection capabilities, driving our operational efficiency in all areas, improving our technological advancements, and expanding our stakeholder engagement in order that we may fulfil our three key mandates effectively and efficiently. In collaboration with our partners we must look at every aspect of our trade and business processes, including our logistics capabilities involving the efficient flow of those,” she added.

In the meantime, deputy chief public health inspector at the Ministry of Health Paul Ximines said the closure was necessary. However, he said “the warehouse was restored in the regalness it ought to be”.

Bidder Doreen McLean told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday that she has been benefiting from auctions at the warehouse for more 20 years.

The mother of six, while noting that she is pleased with the reopening of the warehouse, said she had to travel to as far as Montego Bay to source items to sell.

“Up to yesterday (Tuesday) I went to a Chinese lady and she was saying, ‘You not getting any more hair?’. Mi say the place going to open today [Wednesday], she say ‘Hurry and make them open it cause mi want something to sell,’”McLean said, adding that she is a vendor.