Senate: We won’t allow Nigerians pay for the inefficiency of customs

Sabi Abdullahi, spokesman of the senate, has accused the Nigerian customs service (NCS) of attempting to make people pay for its inefficiencies.

Abdullahi said this on Tuesday after the upper legislative chamber insisted that Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of customs, must appear before it in uniform.

The upper legislative chamber had summoned Ali over NCS’ plan to collect duty on vehicles that had already been imported into the country.

But in a letter to the lawmakers, Ali said he could not appear on Wednesday because of a “fortnightly meeting of the NCS management”.

He asked the senators for another date that would be convenient for him to appear before the upper legislative chamber.

The legislators kicked against it, insisting that Ali should appear on the date given to him.

Speaking with journalists later, Abdullahi said the senators would not support any policy that would infringe on the welfare and security of Nigerians.

“The subject matter for which we are summoning is not dare but critical to Nigerians. They are reports already as a result of this draconian policy. We stand by the Nigerian people. The primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.

“Any policy that infringe on the welfare and security of Nigerians is not a policy. The Nigerian customs is being run in a way that Nigerians will pay for their inefficiencies.

“You have done everything to buy a vehicle to give comfort to your family and somebody comes and tells you this – where is your customs duty? This is why the senate is not in support of the policy. It’s anti-people.”