ADDRESS BY THE COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF CUSTOMS, COL. HAMEED ALI (Rtd) AT THE FIRST MEETING WITH ALL OFFICERS AND MEN HELD AT CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS ON FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER, 2015
Good morning Officers and Men.
1. Since I took over yesterday, I have been receiving briefing notes to enhance my understanding of the Nigeria Customs Service. I have articulated some ideas to start with, and I have found it necessary to share these ideas with you. These ideas shall be the guiding principle and platform for a smooth takeoff.
2. First and foremost, it is important that we know where we are going. We can start by ensuring that we pick up the mantle of Mr. President’s policy thrust. Therefore, in conjunction with you, moving with you and fighting with you we will fight corruption and restore discipline through attitudinal orientation for effective service delivery.
3. We will optimally achieve the core statutory functions of the service, of revenue collection, trade compliance, and facilitation, anti-smuggling activities, national security amongst others, based on the service motto of “Honesty and Justice”.
4. We will commensurately further enhance the welfare of Officers and men for maximum service delivery.
5. We will ensure the strict application of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP-C45 Laws of Federation of Nigeria (LFN) as amended 2004, Customs codes, Extant Laws and Federal government’s circulars in all customs operations, through training and re-training of officers and men on how to apply them in their day to day operations.
6. We will address all anomalies manifest in recruitment, training, posting and promotion of officers and men of the service.
7. All Customs Officers and Men shall adhere strictly to the customs clearance, guidelines and procedures.
8. All Customs Area Controllers, Head of Units and Department shall be held accountable for all established infractions to do with false declaration, deliberate misapplication of the tariff, undervaluation and concealment.
9. All Customs Area Controllers, Heads of Units and Departments shall now send a weekly report on all proven cases of false declarations, deliberate misapplication of tariff, undervaluation, concealment and seizures with full compliments of action taken to the office of the Comptroller-General.
10. The extant procedures of disposal of seizures and overtime cargoes would be comprehensively reviewed to address the current abuse. A public statement shall be issue as soon as the review exercise is complete.
11. The Legal and Investigation Units of the Service shall be overhauled and strengthened to meet the maximum demands of the emerging challenges.
12. The welfare of Officers and Men shall remain uppermost in my mind, in the same manner; officers with corrupt tendencies shall not be tolerated.
13. The Customs training colleges in Lagos and Kano and the Academy in Abuja shall be further upgraded to meet the current demand.
14. The trading public including Importers, Excise traders, Exporters and Agents are expected to comply strictly with the extant Laws, rules and regulations.
15. The Service shall work hand in hand with other critical Agencies including but not limited to the Army, Navy, Air force, Central Bank of Nigeria, DSS, EFCC, ICPC, Immigration, FAAN, NDLEA, NAFDAC, SON, Ports Security, Plant/Animal Quarantine, and NESREA.
16. The Service shall also strengthen its existing relationship with commercial Banks, Terminal Operators, Shipping line, Shipping Agents and various registered and recognized clearing Associations and all the maritime correspondents of the press at our areas of operation.
17. The Service commitment to International Organizations such as ECOWAS, World Customs Organizations (WCO), World Trade Organizations (WTO) and other International Agencies under the United Nations shall continue to be respected and strengthened.
18. The office of the Comptroller-General is open 24/7 to the legitimate complaint from members of the trading public in the spirit of optimizing quality service delivery.
19. However, I must stress this for emphasis. I will not tolerate indiscipline. I will not tolerate corruption. I have zero tolerance for corruption. Considering my military background, I believe punishment must be punitive for others to see as deterrent. Therefore, as an officer of the Nigeria Customs service, if you are caught involved in corruption, I am not only going to dismiss you, I will make sure I prosecute you and jail you. That is basic.
20. Thank You
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