Festus Ukwu (National Secretary, NCMDLCA)
Scanners might not reduce corruption. It is Customs themselves who are corrupt. By the time they are done with the scanning, they will still have one issue or the other with the consignment to initiate physical contact, so that they can demand for money. The whole issue is just about how they would award contracts to some people, so that they make some money. If you think about reducing corruption in this country, I think it is not in this era. This government is the most corrupt government I have ever seen.
Pius Ujubuonu (ANLCA Chieftain)
Since the main reason for bringing in scanners is to reduce human contact, there certainly will be reduction in corruption. Before we accuse Customs of corruption, what about the Nigerian public? How willing are importers to give clean declarations without cutting corners? What is our trade policy like? Does it encourage sincerity? These are variables to look at. I agree that deployment of scanners will reduce corruption, but at the same time it will create problems too. We should look at these things and look at how best to approach them. It is not a one-way thing.
Stanley Ezenga (Former PRO, NAGAFF)
Naturally, the scanners will aid in cargo examination and will tremendously bring down the dwell time of containers in the examination bay. The scanners will not only identify the goods inside the containers, but also identify goods that are offensive to the economy. Deploying the scanners will make the work of the examination officers and freight forwarders easier. I don’t want to believe that some people somewhere are trying to scuttle the use of those scanners. If the scanners are deployed, it will eliminate bottle necks associated with examination of cargo and high handedness of some Customs officers. The government should go out of their way to walk the talk by doing what they said they will do. That will restore the confidence of freight forwarders in their policies.
Innocent Elum (BoT Secretary, AREFFN)
We believe that scanners will make the process of examination easier and faster. If the scanner can reveal what physical examination cannot reveal, then I think it will reduce corruption somehow. Sometimes shippers do under declaration and physical examination may not be able to detect that, but the scanners can show all what the container contains in a short space of time. These should reduce corruption at the ports.
Francis Omotosho (Acting Secretary General of NAGAFF)
The lack of scanners for cargo examination at seaports and borders have not in anyway aided corruption. The scanners are just an added advantage as a modern technology to facilitate cargo examination and smooth flow of international traded goods across the points of cargo entries in and out of Nigeria. However, the availability of scanners would only facilitate cargo examination and clearance in seaports, airports and land border posts.
Dr. Kayode Farinto (Acting National President, ANLCA)
I want to believe that customs are enjoying the 100 percent examination of cargo because of the physical contact and this is encouraging corruption; whether we like it or not. The issue of the deployment of scanners will have added value to the port. Now the scanners are available and the Customs is refusing to use them, which means something is happening somewhere. Somebody somewhere still wants us to rigmarole. It is very unfortunate.
Rev. Alex Nwokedi (National Financial Secretary, AREFFN)
I concur with this. Scanners will reduce the level of corruption at the port through the eradication of physical examination. It is part of the single window. Definitely, when these scanners are put to use, Customs will no longer do physical examination. The process will be faster and corruption will be reduced.
Babatunde Mukaila (National Secretary, ANLCA)
Predictability and transparency is the key elements of Customs Administrations globally. I believe the scanner machines will definitely enhance both, when installed and effectively put to use.
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