New Customs boss vows to fight corruption at ports

threatens to jail violators of trade rules

The newly appointed comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Hameed Ibrahim Ali, Monday in Lagos, said his administration was committed to fighting to reduce the menace of corrupt practices at the nation’s seaports.

This is as he threatens to jail any agents involved in false declarations, which is puts at five years jail term.

Speaking at his maiden interactive session with all the critical stakeholders operating in the nation’s port system, Ali stated that all players involved in cargo clearance at the port, which include Customs officers, importers and Customs licensed agents must be transparent in all their dealings as the Service would not be deterred in penalising any offender in accordance with the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).

The Customs boss, who said that he was determined to key into the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the Service, said his mandate was to reform, restructure and increase revenue generation of the government through the Service.

He further assured that he would enforce the Customs extant law concerning false declaration, adding that days of corruption in Customs are over as both the giver and receiver are both liable to same offense.

While lamenting on the impact of corruption in Nigeria, Ali noted that corruption has become very visible in the minds of everybody in the country. He therefore, encouraged every port user to resolve to do the right at all time so that the system will be better for all.

“We have discovered that some of you do cut corners. This is why we have been in the business of making sure that the right duty is paid at the right time and to ensure that corners are not cut. I have told my fellow colleagues in Customs that days of corruption are gone. Nobody will be caught giving or receiving that we go free. Both the giver and taker are all liable,” he said.

The Customs boss, who also assured all stakeholders that Customs under his watch will ensure that cargoes are cleared and delivered to the importers warehouse as at when due, even as he advised importers and their agents to obey all the rule of engagement by complying with trade rules.

“Trade facilitation goes hand in hand with compliance with trade rules, therefore, Customs is saying give us compliance and we will give trade facilitation. Change has come to Nigeria and the nation’s maritime sector. Give Customs compliance and we will ensure that goods are cleared quickly,” he assured.