New Customs boss to be appointed April 1

The Jamaica Customs Department will have a new commissioner by April 1, according to Finance and the Public Service Minister Audley Shaw.

However, Shaw did not divulge the name of the person who has been selected to replace Major Richard Reese.

Speaking on Tuesday at a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament, Shaw vowed to tackle what he described as "deep corruption" at Customs.

READ: Shaw eyes Greg Christie for customs

"There is still a lot of corruption at Customs and corruption there is an abuse on the citizens of Jamaica," the finance minister said.

Commenting on the automated customs system called ASYCUDA, Shaw said its implementation was now at about 80 per cent.

He said the glitches that occurred in the system were now being worked out, adding that the ASYCUDA system will be completed this year.

In recent times, members of the Custom Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica had expressed frustration with the system.

Some brokers had complained that their businesses have been hurting because of technical issues with ASYCUDA.