Ezeoha Nwonu (Freight Forwarder, Seme)
I am in total support because, it will enable Customs officers to face their duties squarely and also improve the service. If they are still under the ministry of finance or internal affairs, there will be external influence but if they are autonomous, the Service will be better off
Increase Uche (Pub. Sec. NAGAFF)
We want Customs to be free so that its personnel can be very proactive. If the Nigeria customs Service is given autonomy like the Police, it will give them free hands to run the service and cater for welfare of staff as well as give room for professionalism.
It will help them to be focus in the sense that they will be able to leave up to expectations. Before now, they had been under the ministry of internal affairs. That was the period that Customs lost focus and if not for the coming of Bello Halliru Mohammed who tried to reposition the Service and secured the rank of Comptroller General for the head of Customs.
The autonomy will enable them to handle their own affairs. It is a good idea if government can allow it.
Albert Nnwonah (PRO, Customs, Seme border)
Autonomy in the customs service is something that every officer will support so am very much in support of the idea because it is only when we are autonomous that our problems can be looked into and solutions will be proffered, that is when smuggling can be fought to the last and also other issues like shortage of staff, welfare of the officers, promotions and adequate funds will be looked into and solved.
It is a necessary step to take because right now the ministry of finance overseas many parastatals, each having its different goals and Customs, being under it is a far cry from achieving our goals.
To create an autonomous Customs service is like carving a small state out of already existing one and it will thereby be effective and then we can talk of the Comptroller General reporting directly to the Presidency, by this there will not be room for anything contrary because even the C.G will not want his image to be tarnished.
We should take a cue from other parastatals that are handling their own affairs.
Sampson Chima (Asst. Registrar, NIS)
I am in support for efficiency and closer supervision of reporting directly to the presidency. It will reduce corruption
Making Customs to be autonomous will enhance efficiency, commitment and I believe they should be motivated. Part of what is encouraging corruption is the issue of welfare. I think being autonomous will solve the problem of welfare.
Usman Sanusi (President, NAGAFF)
We are in support and I am a proponent of an autonomous body for Customs Service. I support because it will reduce bureaucratic controls and need for prompt intervention in terms of economic crisis such as ports congestion.
The necessity for customs being an autonomous body includes: effective implementation of trade facilitation that is genuine, rather than placing emphasis on revenue under ministry of finance or the ministry of internal affairs and the need for adequate capacity building and acquisition of modern equipment to make the personnel perform maximally, .etc
Fidelis Okoro (Importer)
There is need for efficiency and effective service delivery that is free from corruption in the Customs. For this reason, I am in support of the idea. It’s high time that the Customs reported directly to the Presidency rather than under go what we call hurdles in the so called ministry which I believe is the major cause of problems in Customs.
The Customs lost track years ago and ministry of finance is not helping matters.
Samuel Agbogu (Freight Forwarder, Seme)
This is a funny issue because when we make the Customs Service to be autonomous, they will go haywire, that is why there must be checks and balances and I think they should be made answerable to the finance ministry.
Making the Customs to be autonomous will make them independent and they might as a result do as they like, so they must continue to be checked by a supervising ministry just like we have in the ministry of petroleum resources and the rest. The Nigeria Customs Service is not yet that civilized to be made autonomous.
Isaiah Okonkwo (Clearing Agent)
I am in support because corruption is on the high side in the Service since nobody is monitoring them.
Their boss at times is even the kingpin of corruption but when the body is given an opportunity to report directly to the presidency, there will closer monitoring.
It will reduce corruption and will also ginger them to their actual responsibility which is to collect revenue for the government. It’s necessary for customs to be autonomy because it will aid genuine trade facilitation.
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