BREAKING: Customs Threatens to Dismiss Officers Involved in Fraud

 BY: News Peddlers 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stated that it will continue to use its "big stick" against officers who are found to be engaging in fraudulent practices.

Timi Bomodi, the spokesperson for customs, told journalists in Abuja that the current administration had zero tolerance for corruption.

Officers who had been investigated and found guilty had either been suspended, de-ranked, sent on compulsory retirement, or dismissed, according to Mr Bomodi.

In terms of other anti-corruption measures, Mr. Bomodi stated that the service was working toward full automation.

He stated that the service already had a concession agreement in place with Trade Modernisation Limited to assist with the automation process.

"The concession agreement spans 20 years, and certain deliverables are assigned to each era."

"When we talk about full automation of all our services, we mean pre-clearance, clearance, and post-clearance."

"You're talking about introducing some facilities that did not previously exist."

"How modernisation works is that it will integrate all of our functions into one platform, making it easy for officers anywhere in the country to access anything that is happening," he explained.

According to the spokesperson, with automation, transactions can be viewed in real time, making it easy to track down any form of compromise.

He stated that Huawei, one of the leading Information Communication Technology (ICT) companies, would provide technical support for the project by providing the necessary infrastructure and technical know-how.

"We are already in the process of transitioning, as officers are being trained locally and internationally, and some of the equipment is beginning to arrive."

Mr. Bomodi stated that among the layers of interaction that would be used to obtain data are geospatial information, drone information, and body cameras.

He stated that, in addition to combating corruption, full automation would result in more secure borders and increased revenue generation, among other benefits.

Mr. Bomodi stated that, in addition to punishing culpable officers and ensuring full automation, staff welfare had been improved as an incentive.

He claimed that remuneration was much better than it used to be, and officers confirmed this.

According to him, officers who continue to engage in fraudulent practices do so at their peril, as they will be punished if caught.

NAN