TMPI project probe: Reps panel frown at absence of interior minister, customs

The House Committee on Customs has decried the absence of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo at an investigative hearing aimed at strengthening the operation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The Committee chaired by Mr. Leke Abejide also expressed surprise that the Comptrollers Generals of NCS and NIS, Messers Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Mrs Adepoju Wura-Ola stayed away from the start of the hearing on Monday held at the National Assembly complex Abuja.

The interactive meeting with CGC Customs and other major stakeholders was on the need to Investigate the Modernisation Project of the Nigeria Customs Service (E-CUSTOMS) Concession to Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and the Role of WEBB FONTAINE in the E-CUSTOMS Initiative.

Leke, who described the action of the aforementioned officials as an affront to the power of the House, insisted that the committee would not dissipate its energy deliberating on the issue with the officials on the ground to stand in for them.

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The Kogi-born lawmaker remarked that it was unfortunate that the Minister and the heads of customs and immigration chose to stay away over an issue that has a direct bearing on revenue generation and security of the country.

“We have to suspend this sitting indefinitely. We will write you again and give you another date to appear. The heads of customs and immigration must appear before the committee in person,” he said.

“We are not joking with her, it is not for us. If any stakeholder that is supposed to be here is not present, we will invoke the wrath of the law. It’s for the sake of the public and the nation.”

A member of the committee, Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante, described the conduct of the officials as tantamount to gross negligence of their duties assigned to them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Rivers-born lawmaker threatened that the committee might be forced to recommend their replacement if such an attitude persists.