Chuks Njemanze (ANLCA)
If the allegations are proven beyond reasonable doubts, then no cause for alarm because we are living in a society where we should be talking about moral. Why should some officers that are proven to be corrupt be allowed to go scot free. It is everywhere because whenever somebody is found guilty then it is expected that such a person should be treated as such; so far the investigations are genuine.
Osita Chukwu Patrick (SNFFIEC)
Customs does not sack its officers for no just course, but if the people involved are found guilty then they must be shown the way out and it’s a welcome development. For example issues surrounding forgery of certificates, embezzlement of fund and other ills are criminal offences and can lead to outright sack from the service and even other climes but if they are erroneously sacked by management, then there is a problem and civil society group can come in to their rescue. I believe that, in line with the CEMA and the Nigeria constitution they can not be sacked without proper investigations.
Comrade Pius David (Stakeholder)
So long the management did proper investigations before the officers were shown the way out, I think there is no course for alarm. I believe investigations might have been conducted that those officers did what they we're been accused of. Some were retained while others were shown the way out therefore, those people that were dismissed were actually indicted of those allegations and I want to say that dismissal of those officers will serve as a deterrent to others that may want to attempt such acts tomorrow.
Akpu Obasi (Asst Secretary NAGAFF)
In as much as the affected customs officers are found to have committed such crimes or offences, at one point or the other, I will say what the Comptroller General ,Nigeria Customs Service did was right. We strongly support anything that will bring about sanity in the port operations and if those officers were culpable, then it’s a welcome development. The system needs total cleansing and if really they are found guilty in the process then we support the customs 'management and their action taken so far.
John Oforbike (Zonal Coordinator West, ANLCA)
Every profession has its rule of engagement and if you are being employed newly in an organisation, you would be given the 'dos and don’ts', I am not a customs officer but I am aware that there are rules and regulations there. As a human being, I feel so sorry for the officers because they have put so many years in the service. However, Alli has made a statement when he came that he is looking for whom to fry and that he is ready to prosecute officers that would not follow due process, he has already given people his mission statement, so we are not in the position to condemn his action or to clap for him. All I know is that this is a government of change and it is no longer business as usual, the remaining officers should learn a lesson from what happened to their colleagues.
Comrade Umar Jimoh (Ex-president, NPA Senior Staff Association)
When you sack, it means that food is being taken away from some people, but before this is done as consequences of their action, the books of customs regarding disciplinary action for any offence is being followed. If it is not followed, they are Nigerians and there is room for them to seek redress under their ministry and the labour ministry. But if they are guilty and the offense is to relieve them of their job, I won't say that I will not support it, because I don't know whether they are guilty or not, but what the public is made to understand is that they are found guilty and they have received the consequences of their action. If due process is not followed they have chance to seek redress. Also it should be a lesson to the other officers that are still on the field.
Bolade Lawrence (SSA to ANLCA President)
Every organisation has its code of conduct, and if one is found wanting, there is nothing wrong in the action taken by the CG, we don't know the details of what happened to the officers or what offence they have committed, but I am sure that they must have done investigation on them and discovered that they ran foul in some areas, so customs wants to make it a deterrent to others. There is nothing bad in the action of the CG. On the plan of the CGC to sanitize the customs, we have to commend him because the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, if you trace the problems and offences that led to the sack of these officers, some of the offenses were committed even before Ali came into office, for him to have carry out this action shows that he is a man of action.
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