How has it been since you took over as The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service
How has it been since you took over as The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service
It has not been easy; come to think of it, you as a family man, the question is how do you manage your home? It’s not been easy, but I’ll honestly not write the last paragraph of my autography without thanking the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. In fact he regards and relates with me as a bother in all the hiccups; in all the good, the bad and the ugly side or whatever I have experienced, he shared it with me, even sometimes, he voluntarily calls me and says “this is how I want it to be done and honestly it is like the relationship is even more than a brother. I sincerely believe that the much that we have achieved is because he is the kind of person who appreciates good work. I can tell you, he is the only leader who I have come-across that quietly appreciates people instantly. Personally on many occasions, he has called me and shown me that look “I am very happy with what you are doing”, because of the result he is seeing; his words encourage us to do more. These are the things I want people to understand that he is not only Goodluck, but he is a good man. Because he shows appreciation where needed. And honestly if you remember, the Nigeria Customs Service was grossly underfunded, it was during his time that we bought 500 vehicles at a time, we have just bought two boats that can carry 30 officers at once and he has also approved the purchase a brand new aircraft in addition to the helicopters that we have. At the borders, we can go up to 45000 feet to even take pictures of the activities at the border post. Now, we are about commissioning the best school in Africa, the Staff College, it was approved by him and honestly, he has never changed his style, he always smiles at me and each time I remember that I have someone who is making my tenure to be great. So, I am always happy to associate myself with him and his family, he is a gentleman and honestly, if I am going to write the last paragraph of my autograph, his contributions to my success is going to be included.
How prepared is the Nigeria Customs Service for destination inspection after the expiration of the contract of the inspection agents?
You see, everything goes with vision. We are very much aware that these people are going. We already have a project monitoring team; we also have a committee that is responsible for that. We have a programme which have already outlined, with codename- ‘Zuma 213’, Zuma is the symbol of strength, so we are fully loaded to confront any challenge that may come up by 2013? If we can transform the customs within the two years, why can’t you handle a segment of Customs activities within one year? So, we are prepared for it. That is the reason why we have sent more than 12,000 officers on training and I can tell you now that all Customs officer are computer literates, we didn’t leave those who went for computer appreciation, we supported them with laptops, so that they can continue to practice with it. So that wherever you find yourself, you are already within the system. So, I can say now that we have the quality. In fact we have the committee that is working on it, the committee has already taken-up the activities and we’ll soon go to the public and tell them that: “yes Customs has come of age”.
There was a time their used to be regular influx of arm and ammunitions; especially at Tin Can Island Port and APMT, but there seem to be a reduction, how did you achieve this?
Let go back to the motivation, now if I collect higher money, my spending is based on cost of collection, that is the budget of Customs is based on the seven per cent cost of collection. So, the more diligence you put their, the more money you get. Of course, the customs officer is expecting more salary; they are entitled to hotel accommodation and duty tour allowances. So they know that if they do their job with due diligent, more money will come in, the people will be happy with them and they will be more encouraged to do their job. Another reason is the issue of scanner and the issue of experience. I know today that most of the seizures of arm ammunitions are coming from the PUBD. So, any of the container coming from there has to be 100% thoroughly examined. So, those are the factors.
The present MD of NPA, Engr. Omar Suleiman has a vision to embark on deep sea ports; won’t this challenge the Nigeria Customs Service?
Customs in fact has gone ahead of that, we have two helicopters and now we have two boats which President Goodluck Jonathan has approved for us. So, we are prepared, we are ahead of that. We are matching the customs of the USA to partner with us because they wrote to us. We are waiting for the day they will give us the date to go and sign Memorandum of Understanding with them. So, I think towards that. We are ready.
What is the relationship of Customs with other agencies in the ports?
Very cordial and professional, I am not trained to detect a bad drug, and I am not trained to examine a container that is involved in capital flight or money laundering, but I am trained partly in those things. There are agents that are trained specifically for that. But I can tell you that we relate cordially like brothers, because we believe that whatever is required that we should do in the port as government security agents, they are not done individually, but as a complete organ of government that is ready to develop and protect this country.
Why has the ‘One-stop Shop’ not succeeded?
Because there is no political will on the part of those who are responsible for it, they don’t want to do it, but there are people who understand, they don’t want to embrace it. I am happy that Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala (finance minister) is coming, it’s like she is more military than me.
Nigeria (through the efforts of Nigerian Ports Authourity) is seriously working towards becoming the hub of shipping activities in West and Central Africa, How ready is Nigeria Customs in terms of manpower capacity?
As a back-up, we have 3,000 officers on training at the moment, last year we trained 5,000, that gives us 8,000, so even if they are retiring now and or as result of physical disability or death; we have a back-up. These officers are less 30 years. We are even in better position to handle this issue because the officers we are training are much younger and they are faster in much of our activities, I believe we don’t have a problem. I am assuring Nigeria that we are ready for the challenges of a hub. We are thinking ahead.
How are you curtailing the excesses of licensed customs agents?
They are human beings like us and also Nigerians and we’ll treat them like a Nigerian, they will also partake of the benefits of all that we are doing. The revenue that we are collecting are been share with them also as Nigerians. Even if you are in Lagos or you are claiming not to be a Lagosian, that does not mean anything, because part of these revenue are been shared to everyone at all levels through the government which builds secretariat, construct roads e.t.c. It is part of these money government spends as its expenditure, because it forms the part of revenue accrued to the federal government. I believe they (agents) are very much aware that they spend from this contribution as well, so it is a matter of treating them as human beings and encouraging them and you can see that things are being done in accordance with the law now. Like have said, we don’t have much problem, except those who still want to do their things the way it’s been done in the olden days.
What would you like to when you retire?
I want to help people, I will go back to my farm and I want to be a good Nigerian.
Where would you like to go back to?
Katsina
Why?
Because that’s where I came from, if I die tomorrow that’s where they’ll take me to.
What kind of Customs Service did you inherit?
I didn’t inherit anything; I believe everybody has a way of doing things. If you ask my officer now, they will tell you are very hardworking. I am very hardworking because I have to answer and report to someone who is higher than me, who is looking forward to me and who believe I can do it. I do believe that failure is not part of me because if somebody has trusted you to a level and you have to work hard. I so much believe in what I can do and in myself. I can assure you that it wasn’t like this before.
On your retirement, what would you like to be remembered for in the Nigeria customs Service?
As an ordinary Customs officer who has come to serve his country and a one time leader.
Culled from: Nigerian Ports Today Magazine
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