THE Senate Joint Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff and
Marine Transport set up to probe underhand dealings by firms causing revenue
leakages at the nation’s ports among other areas, has led to refund of over N30
billion.....
It was gathered the refunds range from Foreign Exchange (forex) abuses
to various forms of underpayments among others This came as a Non-Governmental Organization, Conscience Nigeria, has commended the Senate Committee for a job
well done, urging the committee not to waver or succumb to blackmail from any
quarters. In a statement, Executive Director, Tosin Adeyanju, said Nigerians
did not give the committee any chance of success but that the billions already
refunded had vindicated the committee. “We never thought this committee would
perform like this. I personally felt it would be business as usual but the
Senator Hope Uzodinma-led assemblage has proved us wrong. Now, they should be
prepared for blackmail from some quarters. But they should not be deterred.
“Nigerians are solidly behind them. What we expect is for these companies to
begin to set good, honest standards and ensure that they stop towing the path
of infamy. The Nigerian Customs should also seize the gauntlet by blocking all
the loopholes already identified by the committee.” He also lauded Senate
leadership for standing firm on the side of probity and Transparency in
government business as “that is the only way we can progress as a nation”. He
urged the various company executives to join hands with government in ensuring
that their firms toe the path of honesty at all times.
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