2005 Speeches

Valedictory Function for Joseph Renaud

Feb. 11, 2005

Dr. Roy L. Austin
U.nited States Ambassador
Valedictory Function in Honor of Comptroller of Customs and Excise Joseph Renaud
Kapok Hotel

[Usual acknowledgement of Ministers, VIPs: attendees unknown at this time.]

Dedicated public servants are very important to the proper functioning of a country; and those public servants who collect revenues are especially important. Customs officers are among those who perform this very valuable function of keeping the nation’s treasury in good shape. Therefore, customs officers must be among the most valuable employees in the public service. This is one reason these public servants are allowed to earn a little extra, even if they must give more of themselves by working overtime. The overtime is the government’s way of showing that they value the sacrifice of time, effort, and family-life to do a good job for one’s country.

I must admit that my assessment of the value of customs officers may be biased; but it is based on intimate knowledge of the life of a customs officer. My first job after secondary school was as a customs officer in St.Vincent. My 21 months as a member of the customs family also helps to explain my special interest in our U.S. Customs and Border Protection Advisory Team. I have observed through them how in one brief year as Comptroller of Customs and Excise Joseph Renaud has left his mark on the Division at a critical juncture in its history. He has met with determination and strength numerous external and internal challenges confronting Customs and Excise: The Globalization of Trade, Border Security issues, and the transition to a Revenue Authority have taxed the Division at a time of severe staffing shortages, high management turnover, and limited resources. His direct approach to addressing these and other issues has earned the respect and support of the Officers, Guards, and other employees of Custom and Excise.

For example: to address critical staffing shortages, he has dealt with bureaucratic hurdles in imaginative ways by recruiting Temporary Officers from other government agencies and by contracting retirees to perform routine work functions.

Mr. Renaud has supported the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Advisory Team in all aspects of its project to assist the Division with its Modernization and Reform Program. I shall briefly mention a few areas of his support:

· The Marine Interdiction Unit and the Canine Unit have both been expanded with the assistance of funding from the American Embassy. Three new boats have arrived this week and will be handed over to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago shortly. The Canine Unit has also been provided with two replacement canines and additional training.

· After experiencing bureaucratic delays since 1998, hiring for a Regulatory Audit Unit is finally moving forward under Mr. Renaud and a fall start-up is expected. This unit promises to bring in significant additional Revenue as it addresses wide-spread undervaluation that has plagued the Division for years.

· Under his watch, the Division is also addressing Intellectual Property Rights issues with determination in order to keep fraudulent products and dangerous imitations out of Trinidad & Tobago. Currently, the Division is working with a large American electronics manufacturer to protect the local market from dangerously poor quality circuit breakers. Last year training was provided to Managers and Officers and enforcement activities should expand in this area.

Our Customs people have told me you have made a significant difference for the increased success of their programs over the last year. I sincerely thank you for helping them attain some of their goals. Finally, on behalf of our Embassy family, best wishes for a healthy retirement, for success in new endeavors, and for a long life.