The Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service has partnered with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to promote the virtue of transparency and uphold the fight against corruption at the seaport.

Disclosing this at a lecture facilitated by the NCS South Zones of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller TennyMankiniDaniyan, urged officers of the command to uphold the tenet of transparency as a way to promote fairness and productivity in the workplace.

He reminded them that ongoing modernisation of the service being implemented transparently is capable of making the service achieve better results in revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling.

He emphasised the importance of compliance with regulations, stressing that customs officers should see watchdogs as partners rather than adversaries. He highlighted the crucial role of the command in revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling efforts.

He stated that over 80 per cent of the service operations are automated to enhance efficiency and accountability. Daniyan also said NCS is one of the most transparent agencies in revenue collection, as all duties are paid directly into authorised dealer banks, leaving no room for manipulation.

He added that the command is committed to beating its existing record of two hour cargo clearance time for compliant RoRo consignments if the importers and agents cooperate more with sincere declaration and timely payment of duty.

Speaking further, he reiterated that auditors from the office of the auditor general of the federation frequently review the command’s financial records at both the command and federal levels, ensuring strict compliance with government policies.

Chief Superintendent of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission On Public Enlightenment and Education, Mrs. Mary Omonoyan, urged the officers to build a culture of accountability and transparency in the NCS.

She said public institutions are established and run with public funds so it’s only fair that the public is adequately informed about their financial expenditure.

According to Omonoyan, corruption, as defined by the ICPC Act of 2000, includes bribery, fraud, forgery, impersonation, abuse of official property, over-invoicing, and even sexual harassment.