Kirk Benjamin to act as Jamaica Customs Agency CEO

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has announced the temporary appointment of Kirk Benjamin as acting chief executive officer.

His appointment becomes effective, Friday, April 10, following a reference from the Office of the Services Commission.

Benjamin, the senior director for central operations, is to act for six months, “pending the completion of the recruitment process,” staff were told in an email circular late Thursday.

The announcement comes as JCA CEO Velma Ricketts Walker demits office today.

In a Gleaner interview in March, Ricketts Walker said one of the most important achievements during her tenure was the ongoing transformation and strengthening of the JCA into a modern, professional, and resilient organisation.

Over her near decade-long leadership of the JCA, Ricketts Walker said modernisation efforts were advanced, governance and integrity systems enhanced, intelligence-driven enforcement boosted, and trade facilitation processes improved to better support Jamaica’s economic growth and national security.

“We also focused on strengthening collaboration with national, regional, and international partners and on establishing the agency as a respected voice in global Customs discussions. Notably, we placed a strong emphasis on developing a robust institutional culture rooted in professionalism, accountability, and integrity,” she said then.

- Kimone Francis

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