As part of efforts to enhance the transparency and accountability margins in public service, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) partnered with Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Command for a workshop targeted at senior officers.
Speaking at the workshop, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, described transparency and accountability as essential pillars that support good governance.
He, however, stressed that the role of Customs under the distinguished leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR as Comptroller General has tilted the priority of the service to engagement with stakeholders.
Olomu observed that transparency and accountability are at the heart of the principles of Customs which have led to strategic alliances with various stakeholders and significant attainments in revenue generation and anti-smuggling.
On her part, the representative of the Resident Commissioner for ICPC Lagos, Mrs. Florence Bariboloka, highlighted some qualities of a transparent and accountable public servant to include; providing answers and responding to all mails, messages and request at the appropriate time; taking responsibility for actions; proactively solving problems; not blaming or making excuses for failures; among others.
She added that Customs officers should be defined as someone tasked with carrying out Customs responsibilities with integrity, transparency and accountability.
The ICPC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) trainer, Rabiat Umar, emphasised that demonstrating commitment to prompt service delivery and observing the code of conduct and ethics of Customs entrench transparency and accountability; even as she encouraged participants show humility and apologise for wrong doings.
Meanwhile, she added that recognizing and rewarding officers who distinguish themselves with good conduct also enhances transparency in the workplace.
She, however, encouraged the Apapa Customs to adopt the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard which has been utilised in over 280 Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) across the nation.
