Many commentators, analysts and specialists have aired their views since the appointment of Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) as the Comptroller-General of Customs. Since his maiden address on Friday, 11th September 2015 at Customs Headquarters and recent visit to various Customs Commands and Formations in Lagos, the message is very clear to all sundry that the system will not be the same in all ramifications.

Owing to his pedigree and tract records of integrity, it's generally assumed that Customs will be turn around and the issue of corruption be stamp out once and for all. BUT? Is that possible with the present situation and method of operation? Perhaps NO, and that's where the challenge is and the new CGC may found very difficult to overcome. Of course, he has the where withal to fight corruption. No doubt about that. But, it goes beyond body language and it has to be backed up by concrete, comprehensive and detailed action plan.

The Customs have undergone total transformation under previous administration which earned it accolades from World Customs Organization and leading role in West and Central African Sub-Region. NCS was refereed to as reference model in modern Customs administration. What remain now is how to once and for all reposition it to maintain the tempo and stem out corruption. But how can that be possible?

Customs have fallen under two categories of federal government establishment. As a para-military organ as well as revenue generating agency. They are exposed to regimented and modern day challenges of combating criminals operating along international boarders to undermine the security and economy of the nation. They manned the nation boarders 24/7 and participates actively in the Joint Task Force (JTF) to fight against insecurity facing the country.

On the other hand, they are ranked second highest revenue generators to federal government after oil and gas sector. They performed similar statutory roles like FIRS, NNPC, CBN, NIMASA, NPA, SEC, NDIC, etc. In fact, they collect VAT on behalf of FIRS and Port Levy on behalf of NPA/FAAN as the case may be and remit to the federation Account.

Corruption doesn't just happen. It strive in an atmosphere where opportunity presents itself. In my own analysis, two factors are responsible for Customs officials being corrupt. Viz; the system and the environment.

The system is made in such a way their efforts are not in anyway recognized and compensated like other similar agencies in terms of welfare, renumerations, allowances and entitlements. It's painful to point out that new organisations like Civil Defense and FRSC earns more than Customs that is 124years old, (esterblished by an act of parliament in 1891) let alone Army and the Police. A friend of mine who was recruited into Customs since 2009 with B.Sc got promotion only once and currently his salary is N121,834/month only. He receives nothing again till next month and that's the practice throughout the year.

On the contrary, my other friend that joined Navy with B.Sc almost the same time is promoted twice and his monthly salary is N400 thousand plus. This is not magic and is verifiable fact. Funny enough, Comptroller of Customs is earning little over N350 thousand monthly. How do you expect maximum productivity and efficiency from such kind of situation? How can Customs Area Comptroller with his officers in a Command perform effectively under demoralized situation? Is it easy to generate billions of Naira from Seme, Apapa, TinCan, MMIA, Onne, etc, as revenue target? How are they managing their various Commands in terms of logistics, stationeries, vehicle maintenance, and other sundry issues that are essential in maintaining offices?

Officials of the Nigerian Customs Service are the worst paid in all uniform organisations and Navy is the most highly paid followed by the Nigerian Airforce and the Army. Same officer of the service wich his net earnings is not up to a fresh starter in the FIRS that earns more than what a Deputy Supritendent of Customs is earning as monthly salary, which is 147,000 Naira and level 09 officer of the FIRS receive more than 250,000 thousand more than what the Chief Supritedent of Customs (CSC) is earning.

The worst case is the agony and pain of which the junior officers are subjected to pass through. How can you transfer a junior officer that earns barely N45 thousand monthly from Sokoto to Lagos without any provision for accommodation and transfer allowances and expect him not to be corrupt? Where do you expect him to get accommodation, feed himself and take care of his family back home? One act of heroism is that most of them engage in fierce gun battle with hardened smugglers and lost their lives on the process. Does that means they did not deserve better renumeration than someone sitting comfortably under air conditioned and fully furnished office in NNPC or FIRS? Let's get the fact as it is please.

Comparing Customs officials with their counterparts in revenue generating agencies like FIRS, NNPC, etc will make you wonder wether their efforts and sacrifices are being acknowledged at all. Apart from monthly salary, the packages and allowances they enjoy is highly impressive and will ensure maximum output. At the beginning and end of every year and also quarterly, they received huge amount of money which will be reasonable enough to pay their children's school fees and rent.

Second cause of corruption in Customs is the environment in which they operate. Here, I mean the importers, clearing agents, and other security and government agencies like SSS, Police, Army, NDLEA, SON, NAFDAC, etc,. They all operate jointly under the same roof at boarder stations, Airports and Sea Ports. The importers fake almost all their import documents right from the factory abroad with a view to cut corners and pay less duty. This could be made possible with the aid and support of vulnerable and demoralized Customs officials and other government officials mentioned above. The importer represented by Clearing Agents perfects the plan and settle them and pay chicken change as duty to the government. This is the situation and it's happening on daily basis and every minute.

I'm not in anyway supporting corruption or corrupt practices of Customs. They are corrupt jointly with other security and government agencies like SSS, Police, the Army, NDLEA, SON, NAFDAC, etc, operating jointly at various points of entry. In fact, they are more corrupt that Customs officials. Worst is the Clearing Agents and the importers themselves who are majority government officials, business men, religious leaders, corporate bodies that present fake documents to avoid payment of right duties.

In conclusion and going by the perception of majority of Customs after CGC's first maiden address and recent tour in Lagos, it's evidently clear that the task is herculean and that it requires more wisdom to achieve the feat. Fighting corruption is not by magic but by concrete and holistic approach not mere warnings and signals.

The CGC's message would have been thus....."I came and observed your predicaments in terms of welfare and other benefits as against other security and revenue generating agencies. I will upgrade your welfare to the best global practice, and henceforth, dismiss and subsequently prosecute any officer found wanting of corruption."

As it is, Customs, importers and agents and other agencies will not welcome this idea despite the fact that it's good for the economy. The CGC's message wether we like or not is without any relevance or impact because the business remains as usual almost everywhere. But it will be more effective and inclusive if the suggested measure is put in place and also to devise means of educating the importers, agents, and other clearing agents of the effect of cutting corners as they jointly connive with Customs to engage in trade malpractices that may warrant loss of revenue b government.

God bless Nigeria!!!

Comrade Abubakar Umar,
Abuja Based Public Analyst/Commentator

What u said is nothing but the truth but let me clear you on something going on. All these organisations you mentioned are under the federal government payroll which Goodluck Jonathan harmonised during his days in office but funny enough some corrupt miscrants in his cabinet short-changed some organisations. They settle the cabals and share the rest among themselves. My elder brother got employed into DICON:a federal govt parastatal under MOD in kakuri kaduna, with Bsc elect-elect in 2009 on Grade level 08. He got promoted to GL 09 in 2013, as we speak now he earns #94,768/mnth . Can u beat that? After 6yrs he still gets less than 100k as take home.

Very bad