New breeze has entered the Nigerian Customs Service as the new Comptroller General Hameed Ali, has warned that any customs officer that takes bribe or engaged in other forms of corruption would serve the maximum term of 10 years in jail according to the dictate of the law.
Ali gave the warning while speaking in Sokoto on Tuesday, while addressing customs officers in the Sokoto/Zamfara/Kebbi comman. “The minimum jail term for corrupt officers is five years, but I will make sure that any officer found to be corrupt gets the maximum jail term of 10 years.
“This is to serve as a deterrent to any officer who finds himself in the Customs to make money and not to earn money. I am not saying that there are no good, incorruptible officers in the service, but there are few bad eggs who are giving the service a bad name,” Mr. Ali said.
The CGC also cautioned the officials against indiscipline and living above their means. “Our work ethics must change to be in tune with the change mantra as championed by President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
Mr. Ali advised the customs personnel to make integrity , honesty and transparency their watch words. ”You should all do this to minimize the chances of getting into trouble, except those who are criminally minded.”
Ali stated that the task before him was to reform the service, raise revenue, and improve the welfare of personnel. He also urged the officers to strive to block all areas of revenue leakages.
Mr. Ali assured them that, henceforth, there would be no favouritism in promotions, transfers and postings.
