The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through the policy thrust of its Comptroller General (CG), is doing everything to ensure transparency, huge revenue generation and ease of doing business, among others at the ports.
This is as the Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service collaborates with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to promote the virtue of transparency and uphold the fight against corruption.
At a lecture facilitated by the NCS South Zones of Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), Customs Area Comptroller of the Command, Comptroller Tenny Mankini Daniyan, urged officers of the Command to uphold the tenet of transparency as a way of promoting fairness and productivity in the workplace.
CAC Daniyan used the medium to remind officers that the ongoing modernisation of the service which is being implemented transparently, is capable of making the service achieve better results in revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti smuggling.
He, in the meantime, emphasised on the importance of compliance with regulations, stressing that customs officers should see watchdogs as partners rather than adversaries.
Comptr. Daniyan according to a Press Release signed by Abdullahi Tsafe Abubakar,
Superintendent of Customs and
PRO, PTML Command, highlighted the crucial role of the Command in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling efforts.
The Press Release, further stated that over 80% of the service operations are automated to enhance efficiency and accountability.
Comptr. Daniyan however, reaffirmed that the NCS is one of the most transparent agencies in revenue collection, as all duties are paid directly into authorized dealer banks, leaving no room for manipulation.
He opined that the Command is committed to beating its existing record of two hour cargo clearance time for compliant RoRo consignments if the importers and agents cooperate more with sincere declaration and timely payment of duty.
Speaking further, the Area Comptroller reiterated that auditors from the office of the auditor general of the federation frequently review the command’s financial records at both the Command and federal levels, ensuring strict compliance with government policies.
He, in the meantime, dispelled misconceptions that Customs officials collect and divert government funds, asserting that the service operates with a high level of accountability, while encouraging officers to embrace ethical conduct and contribute positively to the agency’s mandate, ensuring that the public sees Nigeria Customs Service as a transparent and revenue generating Agency of the Federal Government.
Chief Superintendent of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission on public enlightenment and education, Mrs. Mary Omonoyan while lecturing the officers of the Command on how they can build a culture of accountability and transparency in the Nigeria Customs Service, said that public institutions are established and run with public funds, pointing out that it would be only fair that the public is adequately informed about their financial expenditure.
According to Mrs. Omonoyan: “Corruption, as defined by the ICPC Act of 2000, includes bribery, fraud, forgery, impersonation, abuse of official property, over-invoicing, and even sexual harassment, which is an area that the Commission has strengthened by establishing a dedicated Sexual Harassment Unit at the national level.’
She also highlighted that corruption often stems from discretionary actions in promotions, appointments, falsification of official records, employment, and disciplinary processes.
She went further to state that the public officers have a duty to report bribery transactions, as outlined in Section 23 of the ICPC Act.
The ICPC official also pointed out the pillars of ICPC’s Anti-Corruption Fight which the Commission operates on include: enforcement, prevention, and public enlightenment.
In her words: “To strengthen integrity in government institutions, the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard was introduced, assessing agencies on their transparency and ethical conduct. The results of these assessments help identify high-performing institutions and those requiring improvement.
“Fostering transparency and accountability in public service builds public trust, enhances effectiveness, and promotes ethical conduct. Officials are urged to practice integrity by making ethical decisions even when no one is watching
“Officers are encouraged to report infractions, resolve public complaints efficiently, and uphold the Nigerian Customs Service’s mission and values. They should have clear job responsibilities, a strong chain of command, and an environment where accountability thrives such as placing suggestion boxes in the command
“The ICPC remains committed to fostering a corruption-free Nigeria through diligent enforcement, preventive measures, and nationwide enlightenment efforts,” Mrs. Omonoyan stated.
