Sampson Chima (Registrar, NIS)
Yes, am in support of the probe because we are talking about transparency and having a corruption-free economy. We believe it’s high time our watch in all that we do both in government and private sectors became transparency.
The reason for port concession was inefficiency; both in management and man power, we are aware of public auctioning of seizures made by Customs. Those days most seizures meant for auctioning are published in the media for the general public to come and participate in the exercise. These days, we have little or no knowledge of how the auction is done.
There is a saying that government officials are the most corrupt citizens in the country, so its high time that was proved either right or wrong to the public. Perhaps, most of the privatization and reforms embarked upon by the past administration was due to the fact that government ownership of such businesses was unproductive and there was massive corruption in high places which made the government embark on reforms to bring about sanity in all sectors of the economy.
Adeshina Sarumi (Civil Servant)
If it’s a probe that will address situations at the moment, its welcomed, but if its going to be like every other ones we have heard about and it won’t have any effect on the way Customs affairs is being carried on., then its nothing to write home about.
If it’s such that after the probe, recommendations that will improve the activities of Customs at border post, seaports and airports it’s a good thing. And of course if it will lead to a necessary shake up in the service, it is good, but if otherwise, the National Assembly should not waste national time and finance because they themselves need to be probed.
Kolawole Olusegun (IFFN)
It’s not a matter of yes or no, because if there is a person occupying a big position, he is expected to give accounts of everything that he has done, if not, the person is liable to be probed.
The word probe is an indictment to Customs. However, National Assembly should be constructive with respect to the issue on ground; otherwise the purpose may be defeated considering past antecedents on probes of individuals and organizations.
We have heard a lot and nothing is achieved at the end of the probe, if the National Assembly is assuring Nigerians of good result, then they can continue with it, but if its going to be the other way round or maybe they are not even sure of it yielding results, then they should discontinue and stop deceiving Nigerians that they are probing the Nigeria Customs Service.
Barnabas Martins (Student Stars Maritime)
In Nigeria, everybody loves good thing, so I support the idea of the customs being probed because it will assist the service to work more efficiently.
The exercise should be all embracing and not be targeted at a particular person or regime.
Everybody is liable to be probed irrespective of rank or designation to correct all wrongs in the service. Auction of seizures should be looked into because of the abuse it has been subjected to and because of corruption on the part of the Customs officers.
Okon Ndubuisi (Clearing agent)
Why not, I am in full support of the exercise, they should be probed, in short all the officers including those at various commands, not just their bosses.
The service needs a shake- up in order to bring things back to normal, they need to be disciplined and some of these officers are so full of themselves that they think they can take laws into their own hands but once the probe exercise commences, this issue will be looked into and the wrongs will be corrected, those meant to be punished will be dealt with while those to be sacked will be sacked.
Until this is done, the Customs can not make progress. The probe must come to reality.
Okafor Gburu-gburu (freight forwarder, Seme border)
As we are in a period of democracy, I believe whatever you do as a government official, you are supposed to account for it. As we have accountability in public offices, so also there must be checks and balance in all government agencies and bodies, so probing the customs is not something that is new or unusual.
The Nigerian customs is one of the highest revenue generators for the country and there is need to probe them if there is any trace of misappropriation, so I am in full support of that.
Mr. Alowode O.O (ANCLA- Seme)
We do not know how serious the National Assembly is about probing the Customs, but it will be a welcomed move if they do. For the betterment of Nigeria, it is good for them to touch all these government agencies both Customs, NPA, Army, Police and others so that they can be recycled and made to be more serious.
However, if the Customs is probed and it is found out that there are inconsistencies; the National Assembly should not hesitate to give appropriate punishments where necessary, because without that, the system can not be sanitized, in order words the National Assembly must be sincere with it and should not compromise.
If the Nigeria Customs Service does not have any skeleton in its wardrobe, it will not mind and at the end will come out clean.
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