Some Nigerians on Friday urged the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria
Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali, to wear Customs uniform as demanded
by the Senate.
They made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in
Lagos in reaction to Senate’s resolution that the Customs CG must
appear before the lawmakers in uniform.
The red chamber on Thursday turned back Ali when he appeared before
the members in mufti and directed him to appear on Wednesday in uniform.
After the resolution, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu,
who presided at the plenary, explained that Section 2 of the Customs
Act provided that all officers, including comptroller-general, must wear
uniform.
Onyekachi Ubani, a lawyer, advised Ali to wear the uniform to the
senate as directed “to earn respect and reduce tension in the polity.’’
According to Ubani, politics is about compromise and anything that
could cause crisis should be clearly avoided in the interest of the
people.
”The Customs CG is retired from the military and should uphold the Customs regulations.
“There is a regulation by the Board of the Customs that all officers
are expected to wear the uniform; the CG is the number one officer and
should comply.
”Also, the Senate has oversight functions, they are our
representatives. They might not be doing well but we cannot use that as
an excuse to allow impunity in the system.
”Ali should in the interest of the service wear the uniform; it is a
sign of discipline and identification. Such compliance will reduce
tension in the polity, ” Ubani said.
Dotun Ojo, a Youth Development Strategist, said that wearing the
uniform would have positive effect on the efficiency and productivity of
the service.
”This is a uniform service and if Ali wears the uniform as a leader,
it will inspire others, especially the followers. This is the effect of
leadership.
”The hallmark of democracy is the dividend to the people and all the
arms of government need to put their personal interests aside and uphold
national interest to deliver adequately.
”The uniform issue, which to me seem like a trivial or personal
issue, has overshadowed the main issue which is supposed to have direct
effect on the people.
”Ali should just comply by wearing the uniform to the chamber so that
this energy being dissipated on the issue will be better utilised on
issues of national interest,” Ojo said.
In his views, Charles Ideho said that Ali did not have any excuse not
to wear the uniform because the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces wore the Army, Navy and Air Force uniforms at some
ceremonies.
”If the president as a civilian can comply, Ali does not have any
excuse. He cannot enjoy all the privileges as the leader of that agency
and refuse to play by the rules.
”Since he accepted to do the job, he should show and lead by example
so that we stop heating up the polity unnecessarily,” Ideho said.
NAN