Stephen Achi
12 November 2009
The appointment of Abdullahi Inde Dikko as the new Comptroller General (CG) a couple of months ago has sadly polarized a section of the country turned some NGOs against one another.
Rather than play the role impartial and unbiased umpire expected of them, some among the civil society organisations have decided to take sides, beclouding the issues at stake in the process.
Some even to the length of holding a press conference to call on President Umaru Musa Yar'adua to review the appointment and give it to someone else. They may have their personal grudges with Dikko, whom I have never met; but I am familiar with some of his achievements in the Nigeria Customs before his current elevation.
The fact that he has obtained widespread acceptance by his colleagues, demonstrates that he is team-player and is knowledgeable of the organisation's problems and prospects. One of his more memorable feather to his cap, the decongestion of the Tin Can Port when he was in charge there, attest to his competence, to say nothing of his vigorous campaigns that led to the reduction of smuggling activity at the Seme border in the Badagry area of Lagos. In fact, these efforts earned him rapid deployment to the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs as Assistant Comptroller General.
Apart from anecdotal references, his traducers have not produced any evidence strong enough to shake the confidence that people have in Dikko's capacity to hold his position and deliver. It is of vital importance that those who make allegations against public officials or anyone for that matter, to be careful of their utterances, lest they destroy people's careers without providing proof of misconduct. This should apply to everyone, not just in the case of Dikko. Of course, where there is clear evidence of misdemeanour against a high public official, the authorities should not hesitate to take action. Like cancer, untreated cases of corruption in public office and other forms of malfeasance, will only grow.
Dikko's administrative acumen is not in doubt, and those seeking his head have not questioned this.
Having said that, it is however clear, from Dikko's antecedents, that he is right man at this material time to take the Customs Service to the next level.
For sometime now, the department has been bedevilled by an image problem, with persistent allegations and proven cases of corruption against the top echelon and the rank and file of the service. This was especially true when it was discovered that officials indiscriminately approved duty waivers and concessions to organisations that do not qualify for them, thereby criminally depriving the country of huge revenues. These are the issues we should focus on, and that we should expect the new CG to tackle in an open and transparent way, not try to hinder him by making wild, unproven allegations against his person. If what we now know about Abdullahi Dikko is anything to go by, then those corrupt elements in the system are on notice because it would seem that the era of business-as-usual is over. Only dedicated, committed and trustworthy staff in the service will fit the new wind of change.
His capability to do a thorough job in his new assignment is not in doubt. By asking his men to return to the borders to check smuggling might at first sound odd, given the reason originally proffered for their withdrawal. But a closer look will reveal that it is a much logical decision to make. Those resigned to dumping foreign materials on our local markets have also been placed on notice: There will be no more market raids by Customs men in our markets, because steps have now been taken so that they do not cross the border in the first place.
His 6-point Agenda designed at reviving the lost integrity of the profession and to ensure prompt service delivery through ensuring capacity building, moral rebirth, discipline, enhanced welfare package for staff, if faithfully implemented, would be another first and systematic measure to improve efficiency in the service, and reengage the people's confidence in the men of the Customs. The Agenda of consolidating e-Customs, strengthening collaboration and partnership with stakeholders and international organizations and extending a hand of friendship to the public, all indicate that Abdullahi Dikko knows and is willing to grapple with the fundamental issues that has hitherto remained a cog in the wheel of progress in the service.
Achi is Executive Director, Pan African Leadership League (PALL), Kaduna,
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