Darlington Eke (Licensed Agent)
The idea of probing the customs is a welcome move, especially in a civilized society like Nigeria, it is ideal and I believe it will help to checkmate the excessiveness of customs officials. During the public hearing, we saw many associations coming forward, some with recommendations and some with allegations, NAGAFF has pleaded for autonomy for the Customs service and to me it is improper because there must be checks and balances in all organizations especially in a government parastatal like the Nigeria Customs Service.
I also think the CG should be given a free hand to operate instead of inaugurating all kinds of task forces. However, I believe if they work on the findings from the probe panel, it will have an effect.
Jude Alozie (Makson maritime)
What I will say is that if the probe will take effect from the top and also touch the bottom, then it will be okay. There is corruption in the customs service and it all started from the top. The CG’s right to the token that is being collected at the bottom which is at the different clearing points; these things are the issues militating against the attainment of early clearance of goods at the ports because the customs delay goods purposely in other to get something from you.
In implementing their findings, government should make sure that they find something to do about the different units under the customs, we have valuation, enforcement, CIU, customs tally and customs main gate. To achieve 48 hours clearance, these tables should be reduced.
Alhaji Abdulakeem Akanji (Mikkol maritime service)
We are happy that they are probing the Customs but if after the whole exercise, lapses are found, what is the assurance that the findings will be acted upon? As we all know, the corruption in Customs has been on for sometime. However, if they can act on the findings, I think it will minimize corruption in the Customs and not only in the Customs, but in all government agencies, but if they don’t act on the findings, then the whole exercise is a wasteful effort.
They should first of all focus on the top, because that is where it starts from, the problem is from top to bottom, I understand that some of the ex-Comptrollers General have been coming forward to give account; it is good because customs is one of the agencies that are generating revenue for this country. The probe panel should act on the findings in other to reorganize the Customs for effective service and reduce corruption to the barest minimum.
Bright Okungbowa (ANLCA, PTML)
I don’t believe that the probe will have any effect on the Customs because what they are trying to probe is not a day issue; it is something that has been going on for a long time just like in the police.
The House of Representative will only do a surface job and after sometime, forget about the whole issue or how can we expect a meaningful result from the probe when some of the lawmakers on the probe panel are actually sponsored to the house by some of these ex-Comptrollers General? I think we should stop deceiving ourselves.
Chief Wisdom Isikwanele (Importer)
In Nigeria, we are fond of setting up panels, task forces and doing probes here and there which most of them end up as mere paper work. We have been hearing of Customs probe for a long time and yet how many times have they arrested and prosecuted one of them, just like the EFCC does? Personally I don’t think the probe will solve any problem.
Secondly, some of them have refused to appear before the House of Reps to answer questions, for example the former Comptroller General who is now the new Gbon Gwom Jos. Most of the allegations revolve around him but how can he now appear before the house with his royal crown and all? I don’t believe in that kind of probe.
Mr Samson Chima (Registrar, NIS)
I believe the reason for probing is to correct abnormalities, to checkmate some activities and also investigate allegations in order to come out with a reasonable solution. It is not enough to just probe, but to implement the findings because many probe panel recommendations in Nigeria are never implemented.
To me, it is what the committee comes out with that will determine the next step, if these findings are acted upon; I think it will correct many things. Also, the welfare of the Customs personnel should be looked into; they should be well taken care of, because that is one of the things that can make them to be corrupt.
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