APFFLON tasks CGC Ali on Consistent review of Customs operations
Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS),Col.Hammed Ali Rtd., has been called upon to do a critical system appraisals of the entire Customs operations.
The call was contained In an open letter to the CG of NCS by the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, (APFFLON) signed by its National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite.
Making reference to the 2005 Presidential Committee on Customs operations,
“The code of ethics of the NCS specifically prohibits officers and men of the service from engaging in the business of clearing or forwarding of imported goods.”
Among other abnormalities pointed out by APFFLON are: insider trading and preferential treatment, controls and racketeering, non compliance with rules of engagement, insecurity and safety.
As a remedy, it suggested among others that the use of camp boys at the operational base should be discouraged,while also advising them to embrace open door policy in all ramifications,and also to empower the zonal coordinators and Area Comptrollers by assigning greater responsibilities to them,and discourage insider training to achieve licensing regulations and advancement.
APFFLON further suggested the stoppage of indiscriminate use of task force in place of line staff. “If there must be an urgent need for task force to stem or stabilize operational misgivings, it should be structured as an ad-hoc interventionist, or corrective measures that will act within a short frame of time”.
The Association however, commended the Comptroller General and his management team for their efforts towards the upgrade and integration of clearance process of the NICIS window.
It advised that Area officers should be promptly compelled to take responsibility for their actions and inactions,and that training and capacity building of officers should be intensified and sustained.
The President
