By McPherse Thompson, Assistant Financial News Editor 
Atkinson (left) and Moore (right)
TWO DEPUTY commissioners under the Jamaica Customs Department's modernisation programme have resigned their positions, at least one of them citing frustration with the operations of the revenue agency.
One of them is Major Conrad Atkinson, a former officer in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), who was brought in as a deputy commissioner to replace former Collector of Customs, Viris Page-Gardner.
The other is Michelle Williams, also a Deputy Commissioner of Customs, who was in charge of human resources.
Both were said to have handed in their resignations to Clive Nicholas, Director-General of Tax Administra-tion, a division of the Ministry of Finance and Planning. A Ministry spokesman confirmed that both deputy commissioners have resigned and that the Ministry has accepted their decision to leave, but said the terminations were both voluntary.
Neither of the former deputy commissioners was reached for comment.
However, a usually reliable source told The Sunday Gleaner that Major Atkinson resigned out of frustration with the Customs Department's operations. "He sees himself as non-functional in the department," said the source, adding that the Major felt his position has been emasculated. "He doesn't feel he's an effective part of the department," the source said.
When he was brought in, brokers felt he should not have been appointed over Mrs. Page-Gardner, who has had more than 20 years experience in the field. However, a long-standing and highly-respected customs broker told the The Sunday Gleaner that they had no problem with Major Atkinson because he gave all indications that he had the capacity to do the job and was willing to learn.
"We were getting along with him quite well," said the broker, surmising that with Major Atkinson's resignation, the level of service in the Customs Department could deteriorate to the detriment of brokers.
Major Atkinson is to be replaced by Hector Jones, the Collector of Customs in Montego Bay, but there are already hints that some customs interest are unhappy that other senior officers within the department in Kingston have been bypassed for the position.
Commissioner of Customs, Allison Moore, was also said to have had her contract renewed for another three years. However, the Ministry of Finance spokesman said "She is not a contract officer. She is a civil servant so she remains Commissioner of Customs."
