2,000 Customs Men Sacked For ‘Fraudulent Practices’, says CG Ali

The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), has said the service had dismissed over 2,000 workers in the last seven years.

Ali, who featured in the media briefing coordinated by the Presidential Media Team yesterday in Abuja, said the service abhors corruption and has zero tolerance for such officers.

The NCS boss said in addition to losing their jobs, some of those found wanting had been prosecuted and jailed.

He said many of those sacked were found to be shortchanging the NCS in its revenue drive, especially on the duties tax that should accrue to the organisation for imported vehicles.

Ali also said some importers found to have engaged in sharp practices, which had infringed on the activities of the service, had been suspended or prosecuted.

The Customs boss said he was committed to ensuring excellent services but hoped his successor would maintain the standard.

Also, the NCS has said it will need about $3.5 billion to fully automate its operations and limit human interactions at ports and border stations, it was learnt.

Ali announced this at the media briefing coordinated by the Presidential Media Team in Abuja.

The Customs boss said the service would realise at least $17.6 billion after the conclusion of the automation of its operations in the next few years.

He said many of those who have been sacked were found to be shortchanging the NCS in its revenue drive, especially the duties tax that should have been paid to the Federal Government through the service.

Ali explained that the agency’s projection as at the time the N3.019 trillion target was set was based on the assumption that the NCS would start the collection from the beginning of the year.