The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has expressed severe disappointment over the refusal of top government agencies to honor an invitation to attend an important parliamentary investigation. The investigation, which seeks to probe the modernization efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the management of the country’s borders, was supposed to involve key figures such as the Minister of Interior, the Comptroller General of Customs, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The committee, alongside the House Committee on Interior, had extended the invitation to these officials for a critical investigative hearing focused on the progress and challenges of the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernization project. This project, known as e-Customs, includes a partnership with Webb Fontaine, a technology firm, to oversee the concession of the NCS operations.
However, despite the importance of the hearing, the event was marred by the absence of the invited officials, which led to an intense outcry from lawmakers. While the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, was said to be unavailable due to travel commitments, the absence of the Customs and Immigration chiefs raised eyebrows, with no official reasons provided for their failure to attend.
In an open rebuke, Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), a member of the committee, argued that the absence of the heads of the agencies represented a blatant disregard for the authority of the Nigerian parliament. “Section 88 of the Constitution grants us the power to summon any individual to appear before us to explain matters of national importance. The chiefs of these agencies are mandated to attend, and their absence is unacceptable,” Osoba said.
The absence meant that no official answers were provided on key issues, such as the implementation of the e-Customs project, the role of Webb Fontaine in managing the trade modernization framework, and how modern technology is being integrated to secure Nigeria’s borders. Without the key executives present, the hearing could not proceed.
The dissatisfaction among committee members was palpable, with Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers) suggesting that the absence was an affront to the legislature. “The refusal to appear before the parliament is a direct insult to the institution. If these agencies continue to ignore us, we must invoke our constitutional powers to recommend their removal from office,” Abiante stated.
Abiante went further to question the competence and commitment of the agency heads, stating that their absence implied either a lack of interest in their roles or an inability to perform their duties effectively. “If they are not showing up for an important investigation such as this, it means they are either tired of the job or simply incapable of fulfilling their responsibilities,” he added.
Leke Abejide, Chairman of the House Committee on Customs (ADC, Kogi), took a more measured approach but did not hide his displeasure. “We understand the complexities of government schedules, but this hearing is crucial for improving the security of the nation and generating additional revenue,” Abejide said. “We have made time for this important task, and it is disappointing that the heads of these agencies did not prioritize it. However, we will have to reschedule the hearing, preferably after the passage of the national budget, when the relevant officials are available to attend.”
The committee had originally planned to investigate multiple aspects of the e-Customs modernization initiative, including the concession of NCS operations to Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and the ongoing role of Webb Fontaine in overseeing the customs clearing process. The committee also planned to scrutinize the due diligence performed in the selection of TMP and its performance since taking over the e-Customs operations. Additionally, lawmakers were keen to explore the progress of the modernization efforts, including the introduction of modern scanners to expedite the clearing of goods and improve efficiency at the nation’s borders.
The failure of key figures to attend the hearing highlights the growing tensions between Nigeria’s legislative and executive branches. Lawmakers have repeatedly expressed frustration over what they see as a lack of cooperation from various agencies, which they accuse of disregarding the importance of parliamentary oversight.
The issue of border security and customs modernization has been a major topic of debate in Nigeria, especially considering the country’s challenges with illegal migration, smuggling, and border management. The e-Customs project is expected to play a vital role in addressing these challenges by leveraging modern technology and improving operational efficiency. However, the delay in the investigation is likely to raise further concerns about the future of the project and the level of accountability within the agencies involved.
This development comes at a time when public trust in government institutions is waning, and Nigerians are increasingly concerned about the efficacy of government initiatives aimed at addressing critical issues such as border security, corruption, and economic development. The failure of top officials to show up at such an important hearing could further fuel skepticism about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
As the investigation remains postponed, the House of Representatives committee is expected to reschedule the hearing at a later date, with hopes that the relevant officials will be present to provide the necessary information. If the agencies continue to ignore the invitation, the committee may take further steps, including invoking its powers to enforce compliance.
For now, the spotlight remains on the Nigerian Customs Service, the Ministry of Interior, and the Nigeria Immigration Service as they face increasing pressure to account for their actions in the ongoing effort to modernize the country’s border management and improve customs operations. The absence of their leadership at the hearing has only intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in the way these critical agencies are run.
