Reps fumes as Minister, Customs, Immigration CGs snub hearing on border management, e-customs
The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, alongside the Committee on Interior, has expressed outrage over the absence of key government officials at a scheduled investigative hearing on the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and border management.
The hearing, held on Monday, was to examine the modernisation of the NCS, including the controversial e-customs concession granted to the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), and assess border security measures. Among those invited were the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo; the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap.
While Minister Tunji Ojo was reportedly out of the country, no explanation was provided for the absence of the customs and immigration heads.
This prompted anger among lawmakers, who argued that their presence was essential to address pressing issues.
Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun) criticised the absence of the chief executives, citing Section 88 of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to summon individuals for explanations.
He insisted that only the heads of agencies could provide the required responses, rendering their representatives ineffective in this instance.
Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers) described the absence as a disrespectful affront to the parliament.
He warned that if the officials fail to appear on the next adjourned date, the committee should invoke its powers to recommend their removal from office. “Their refusal to honour this invitation suggests either incompetence or disinterest in their roles,” Abiante declared.
Chairman of the Committee on Customs, Leke Abejide (ADC, Kogi), noted that the hearing was critical to improving revenue generation and national security.
However, he announced a postponement to allow the chief executives to attend at a later date, preferably after the passage of the national budget.
The committees are investigating the concession of NCS operations to the TMP and the continued role of Webb Fontaine in the e-customs framework.
They aim to determine whether due diligence was followed in selecting TMP to replace Webb Fontaine and assess TMP’s contributions, including the installation of modern scanners to expedite goods clearance.
Lawmakers emphasised the importance of these investigations in addressing illegal migration, improving border management, and enhancing government revenue. The hearing is expected to resume after the availability of the officials.
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