shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » After The Customs Probe, What’s Next?

After The Customs Probe, What’s Next?

by Joshua
May 24, 2009
in Uncategorized

For about three weeks running, the media have been awash with shocking revelations that are emanating from the current National Assembly’s investigations into the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) between 2000 and 2009.
The probe has brought to the fore issues that have for long either been kept in abeyance, swept under the carpet or just ignored by those who should act on them.
So, when petitions started flying about shortly after the exit of Elder Jacob Gyang Buba (now Gbong Gwon Jos ) as the Customs Comptroller General, it was obvious that there was no way the National Assembly could continue to shy away from digging into the activities of this strategic agency. 
It is on record that the first petition that arrived at the House of Representatives was somewhat anonymous in that, even though the authors are known to the lawmakers, their identities were shielded from the public. This group had alleged all manners misdemeanours against past leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service since 2004, cleverly leaving out the period between 1999 and March 2004 when Alhaji Aliyu Mustapha held sway as the Customs boss. 
Consequently, when the House of Representatives was ready for the exercise, it mandated its committee on Customs to go beyond 2004 and extend its dragnet to cover activities of the service from 1999 to date. This specifically puts former Comptrollers General Mustapha, Buba and Alhaji Hamman Bello Ahmed ‘in the docks’.
Apart from the sundry allegations which border on abuse or outright neglect of due process in the award of contracts, there had been outright insinuations that the Nigeria Customs Service as an institution of the federal government of Nigeria is corrupt. There had also been pointed allegations that Customs officers are engaged in the daily activities of customs clearance.  
Of course, the on-going probe has also once again, brought to the fore the agitation by some stakeholders that the Nigeria Customs Service should be granted autonomy and become self accounting.
And as it is common with probes, stories have been flying form the Reps sittings. Some have even quoted the law makers as being favourably disposed to certain submissions.
For instance, the lawmakers were quoted by a section of the media as having stumbled on the discovery that about 50 per cent of personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service are ‘ghosts workers’. The allegation which we are told has caught the fancy of the law makers was reportedly levelled by one Kola Shola who claimed to be representing a previously unknown organisation called Business Ventures Watch.
He pointedly alleged that the newly installed Gbong Gwon Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba lied about the staff strength of Customs. He alleged that Customs’ staff strength is only of 10,000 and not 20,000.
It is also instructive and disturbing that none of the ex-Comptrollers General has so far shown any serious commitment to the probe. The best that has happened so far from the league of ex- Customs bosses is what can best be described as a mere ‘courtesy visit’ by members of the Dr Bello Mohammed – led  task force on Customs reforms. 
Perhaps, Nigerians are obviously unenthusiastic about the efforts of the House committee on Customs because of how similar probes in the past have ended.
The only way that this probe would be seen to have yielded results is if it achieved the desire of most industry stakeholders who have expressed support for the call for autonomy for the Nigeria Customs Service. But more importantly it should achieve the second and perhaps more important desire; which is to amend the antiquated Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) of 1958.
Apart from these, the lawmakers will be seen to be a different breed if they are able to rise above sentiments, they should also avoid being used to settle old scores; especially going by the calibre of people who have so far gone to testify or present memorandum.
As timely and desirable as it is, it will however amount to a futile exercise and a waste of public funds, if the current efforts do not lead to a better Nigeria Customs Service. 

Related Posts

ECOWAS Electricity Agency Assures Of Stable, Affordable Power Across W/Africa From 2023

FG Urges Entrepreneurs To Embrace ECOWAS Trade Scheme

May 19, 2023
Nigeria Targets Over $500 Million From Cashew Export

Weekly Global Marine Incidents May 8, 2023

May 8, 2023
Stock Exchange Closes Week With 24 Gainers 27 Losers

Stock Exchange Closes Week With 24 Gainers 27 Losers

May 1, 2023
Investors Buyout Norwegian Car Carriers from Klaveness

Investors Buyout Norwegian Car Carriers from Klaveness

May 1, 2023

Discussion about this post

Latest News

Shipping Can’t Be Developed Through Politicking – Jolapamo 

Shipping Can’t Be Developed Through Politicking – Jolapamo 

June 3, 2023

Nigeria-Indonesia Trade Grew To $4.7bn In 2022 – Chamber

MWUN To Paralyse Port Operations Over Welfare Of Workers In Shipping Sector

Reps Back Planned Disbursement Of CVFF

NIMASA Calls For Review Of Trade Terms From FOB To CIF

Ex – Shippers Council Bosses Bag National Award

APFFLON Urges Tinubu To Come Up With Blueprint That Will Strengthen AFCFTA 

VESSELS EXPECTED AT LAGOS PORTS AS AT FRIDAY 2ND JUNE, 2023

AfCFTA: Kenya To Scrap Visa Fees For Africa Traders

Customs Initiates New Fast Track Method For Compliant Importers

NEITI Hails Fuel Subsidy Removal, Offers 8 Strategic Considerations

Officer of the Order of the Niger: For Hassan Bello, It’s A Honour Well Deserved

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

FG To Place 80% Hypertensive Nigerians On Standard Treatment
Health

FG To Place 80% Hypertensive Nigerians On Standard Treatment

May 22, 2023

The Federal Government said it has instituted strategic interventions at the Tertiary, Secondary, and Primary Health Care levels to screen...

High Blood Pressure Explained

High Blood Pressure Explained

May 22, 2023
Some Impressive Health Benefits Of Onions That May Interest You

Some Impressive Health Benefits Of Onions That May Interest You

May 22, 2023
Failed IVF Cycles Not End Of Parenthood Journey

Failed IVF Cycles Not End Of Parenthood Journey

May 15, 2023
COVID-19: Fifth Wave Looms As Nigeria Records Three Deaths In One Week

COVID-19: Nigeria Embarks On Integrated Health Emergency

May 15, 2023
Some Health Benefits Of Eating Groundnuts (Peanuts)

Some Health Benefits Of Eating Groundnuts (Peanuts)

May 15, 2023
BEWARE: Too Much Sex Is Bad For You!

DANGER: Why Sudden Death Happens During Sex – Expert

May 8, 2023
Five Early Warning Signs Of Pancreatic Cancer That Could Save A Life

Five Early Warning Signs Of Pancreatic Cancer That Could Save A Life

May 8, 2023
All You Need To Know About Snoring

All You Need To Know About Snoring

May 1, 2023
Salt: Why You Need It, How Much Is Too Much, and How to Cut Back

Salt: Why You Need It, How Much Is Too Much, and How to Cut Back

May 1, 2023

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition