Prince Olayiwola Shittu (Nat. President, ANLCA)
The Nigeria Customs Service is a paramilitary body of the Federal Government; it is a normal thing in the Nigeria Customs Service, if they are due for retirement, the service believes they should retire. What the customs management is doing is what the new policy of the Federal Government asked them, this is not the first time purges are coming in government departments, it is not the first time in Customs, the immediate past management came in through purge, so if the new management decides to weed the top, who are we to say No? This is what they signed for when they joined the service.
Ugochukwu Nnadi (NAGAFF, Deputy President)
I believe some of the officers are supposed to resign, they are corrupt and they must not be allowed to remain in the system, if the CGC can hold proper consultations, we would begin to give him the names of some of these corrupt officers. Let there be a proper investigation, those that are not allowing the system to work should leave, there are many of them that are still patriotic and are ready to work, but some of them just believe Customs is where the money flows and they are here to line their pockets.
We all know that the customs system itself is corrupt, but individual differences must come to play, people are complaining of customs server not working, I remember when customs was about to take over destination inspection from the service providers, they took us round the facilities they have on ground and told us the scanners are out-dated, the CG then showed us the prototype of the scanners they will bring once they take over, I am surprised that three years later it has not happened, I wonder if it was all propaganda.
Emmanuel Njokwu (ANLCA PRO at Airport)
I believe it is a welcome idea if the customs headquarters feel that retiring these officers is what will help this country, a man that has got to the position of DCG, what more is left for him? Nothing, he has got to the peak of his carrier, whether it is voluntary or forcefully, they should go for thanksgiving, this is a means for others to come in and grow, with such elevations they will begin to put in their best at work.
Olorogun Andrew Ugwi (Clearing Agents)
In administration, if you bring somebody who is junior in rank to lead a superior, the alternative for the superior is to resign, there is no way he can maintain loyalty to his junior, a Colonel is junior to a Comptroller General, and we had Deputy Comptroller General and Assistant Comptroller Generals. At worst, you could only equate a colonel to a deputy controller, naturally, one will expect that anybody worth his rank ought to voluntarily resign, and where they fail to retire on their own, the best for government is to retire them, administratively I think it is good they have retired these officers, because if they had remained, the Colonel will not be able to dictate to somebody he knows is his superior.
Moshood Tijani (Freight Forwarders)
It is a welcome development and I know what the new customs boss is doing is for the interest that will bring about change. The retired senior customs officers should appreciate the Comptroller General for the simple fact, being that they were retired honourably, no one was arrested under the guise of fraud or corruption and to me I think it is a welcome development.
Zebulon Ikokide (President NIFFCB )
The CGC’s moves is in the right position because it is only through that means the man can be able to perform better and without that the man will not be able to perform. What he is doing is to create a leeway that can enhance his performance and without this retirement the road will be difficult for him to cross and from my own vintage stand, I will say it is commendable because ordinarily an insider was appointed as Customs Comptroller General and we are still where we are but this time around, you have to embark on internal cleansing in order to get it right.
Gbolahun Quadri (Freight Agent)
It is too early to assess his steps; whether right or wrong, but, the end result would justify the steps, in a matter of months or years provided the powerful big wigs or cliques of Nigeria Customs Service eventually allow the new measures to see the light of the day. The steps taken by CG for voluntarily retirement of 34 high ranking officers while others are still in line to be relieved of their jobs may be counter-productive if not properly manage by the CGC office. It is important for the new CG to watch his back because some of his enemies retiring from the service have their loyalist they have brought into the system for various mischievous purposes. Finally, the steps might end up being a waste of experience and investment input on most of the affected senior officers.
Comrade Pius David (Stakeholder)
I don't think the CG is getting it right as part of the efforts to restructure customs. It’s a pity for President Buhari to appoint a retired military man to come and head the customs in a democratic system. The service has advanced beyond what it used to be in time past, hence I don't see the CG as someone who can restructure, reform and collect more revenue for the government as such. The man in question needs a refresher course on how the customs operates and he still need to be taught so many things relating to customs, because all what we are seeing for now is fighting against corruption while trade facilitation is suffering.
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