… Seeks stronger collaboration against corruption
… Suggests establishment of help desk
The leadership of the Eagle Eye Transparency and Integrity Initiative, EETAII, Maritime branch, yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller of the Tincan Island Port command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka to reaffirm its commitment to the fight against corruption and to seek possible ways to collaborate with the command to tackle what it called a plaque that has deeply affected Nigeria as a country despite its vast mineral wealth and resources.
Speaking during the visit, the National President of the Initiative, Comrade Anthony Shaibu stated that the fight against corruption must involve everyone arguing that it should not be left solely on shoulders of few rather a collective responsibility.
Shaibu disclosed that the modalities for combating corruption were many and varied adding that their mandate as an anti-corruption organization encompassed several key areas including awareness creation, prevention and reporting mechanisms.
Speaking on the key modalities, he said, “Many individuals may unknowingly fall victims of corrupt practices. It is essential that we enlighten our community. We must work diligently to prevent corruption before it occurs much as we urge all stakeholders to report incidences of corruption.”
Noting that for the group to achieve its goals, it required the support and active engagement of some key figures such as Comptroller Onyeka, he added that the group was fortunate to have Comptroller Onyeka whom he said was conferred with the Eagle Eye Transparency and Integrity Ambassadorial award in the past and whom he described as the group’s unweary ally, heading the Tincan Island Port command today.
“The journey of dedication began while he served as officer in charge of valuation here at Tincan where his robust approach to integrity and transparency has been evidence. His transfer to Apapa command as the O/C Gate further highlighted his commitment to uphold ethical standards and combat corruption.
“Comptroller Onyeka ‘s efforts in this arena has not gone unnoticed. We are unanimously proud to have bestowed upon him the Eagle Eye Transparency and Integrity Ambassadorial award in 2023 in testament to his dedication. His accomplishments has earned him respect and recognition as a young Controller in the Nigeria Customs Service today.”
He, thereafter, suggested the establishment of a help desk which he described as a point of contact where stakeholders could easily address their concerns and have their issues resolved, ”This initiative will not only enhance your already existing structures but also eliminate the crowding around your office, ensuring a more efficient process for all.”
“On behalf of the Commission, ICPC and every member present here today, we assure you of our continuous support in your role as the critical revenue officer. Your prompt devotion is invaluable to the growth of our nation’s economy.
“In conclusion, let us work hard in our mission of transparency and integrity as you always did, ensuring that peace and justice prevail in our practices. Together, we can forge a path forward, a bright future in the maritime industry”, he stated.
Other members of the group who spoke during the visit took turn to eulogize the Controller, describing him as a man who is upright and dedicated to his duty even as the pledged their unallocated support to enable the CAC surpass the achievements recorded by his predecessors.
Responding, the Customs Area Controller of Tincan Island Port command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, while welcoming the visitors, thanked them for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit him adding that he had not taken his relationship with the group for granted.
He equally appreciated the group for the support he has received from them in terms of suggestions, advice and ideas saying, “Indeed, I have been looking forward to this meeting, I am most delighted to have you here.”
“We have been partners in this exercise for long. I don’t know what your schedule is now but in Apapa, you were visiting me much more than you are doing here now. I don’t think you have come to my office more than twice since I have been here. Does it mean I am perfect? Because normally, you were coming from time to time and I want to say that they are very patient people.
“One of the reasons I succeeded in Apapa was as a result of the feedback I got from the people like you. There’s nobody that is perfect and you can never be a perfect man and everybody cannot like you. But they will come to me, they will tell me where I have erred, they will tell me where the gaps are, they will tell me where I should make corrections which I made in Apapa and to the glory of God, my stay in Apapa was successful.
“So, keep coming to my office. Come as consistently as possible because the little I know about you in particular, there’s no reason you will not come. My doors are open to anyone. So, if there’s anything you want me to do periodically, this help desk that you have highlighted, some other things, may be there are gaps, if there are ways you want me to improve upon service delivery, if there’s any of my officers, of course, you have always told me, if any of my officers is not doing things in tune with the statutes, I don’t tell them where the source is from because if you tell them where the source is from, when they see you, they will change.
“Instead catch them on the spot, give me the report, let me work on the report quietly. That’s what I expect from you aside you coming to shake hands with me in the office” he added.
On the establishment of a help desk, he said, “If you take note, we now have a suggestion box downstairs. Directly opposite where I met you, there’s our billboard that gives us information and we are going to move a step further by having a help desk. We will look into that because we have gotten cause to get feedback from the people but the feedback mechanisms might not come the way I wanted it, somebody said okay, why not give us a suggestion box? Which I made sure if I don’t open every day, the PRO will open it or the Staff officer will open it.
“So, we want to go forward by adding a help desk and we are going to channel a number to you before the end of today that you can always call if you cannot reach me. So, much appreciate you, thank you very much.”
Photo 1: (L-R): Comrade Anthony Shaibu, National President, Eagle Eye Transparency and Integrity Initiative, EETAII and Comptroller Frank Onyeka, Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Port command during a courtesy visit at the command’s headquarters in Lagos yesterday.
Photo 2: Comptroller Frank Onyeka, Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Port command speaking during the visit.
Photo 3: A cross-section of the the leadership of the Eagle Eye Transparency and Integrity Initiative, EETAII and the officials of Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port command during the visit yesterday.
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