Newsroom
INEC Express Concern About Uncollected PVCs
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed concerns over uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards ( PVCs ), few days to the 2019 general elections, lamenting that they are running into millions.
The commission’s Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, who raised the alarm during the regular quarterly consultative meeting with the media in Abuja, warned that the commission would not allow collection by proxy.
He further revealed that the commission would work with the security agencies to deal with the politicians trying to compromise INEC staff responsible for making the PVCs available for collection by the legitimate voters.
Speaking specifically on the uncollected PVCs, the INEC chairman said: “I urge all registered voters who have not collected their PVCs to approach any of our Local government area offices and other designated collection centres nationwide to pick up their cards. While we are encouraged by the response so far, millions of cards are yet to be collected.
“I wish to reiterate that the commission will not allow the collection of PVCs by proxy. The cards will be available for collection until at least one week to the election. I want to thank the media for mobilising citizens to personally collect their PVCs without which no person can vote on election day,” he warned.
On the unholy collaboration between the politicians and INEC staff in charge of distribution of the PVCs, he said: “We appeal to the media to continue to partner with the commission by making information available to us while we work with the security agencies to deal with the violators of our electoral laws, including those who may be trying to compromise our staff responsible for making the PVCs available for collection by legitimate voters.”
Confirming that the commission would not adopt electronic voting, he said: “INEC cannot administratively implement electronic transmit. INEC is very willing to do electronic transmission; however, the only reason we need a law in that particular case is that the present law already provides for how transmission should be done and it is manual. We need a law to override the existing law. That is why we are looking for a legal backing not to infringe on the existing law.”
On the simultaneous accreditation and voting for the general elections, he said: “Actually, the procedure for accreditation and voting is not in the Electoral Act but the commission’s residual powers under Section 153 to determine that kind of voting. So, the idea of doing accreditation before voting is entirely a policy matter and has nothing to do with Electoral Act. We don’t need any amendment to determine that kind and I stand to be corrected if there is any section of Electoral Act.
“There is a reason why we abolished accreditation before voting. The cumbersome procedure of going and coming back to vote. Again, after local and international observers made observation, we studied the statistics for last elections and was shocked that about two million accredited voters could not come back to vote,” he said.
On the issue of growing population and failure to increase the polling units, he said: “It is not even the issue of growing population. The growing population in terms of increase in population of individual demographics in the country, also in the movement of the citizens.
“Each time I drive round Abuja, I see settlements and I imagine that and the things that come to mind is how are we going to serve these people on election day without having to travel long distance. There are statistics that if I mention perhaps you might be shocked. Check Gwarinpa. Gwarinpa is said to be the biggest housing estate in Africa.
“Do you know there are only four polling units in Gwarinpa? So, if all registered voters are going to vote in four polling units in Gwarinpa, how many days will it take proceedings in this vote? That is why the last commission tried to create additional polling units. You all know what happened. It became big issue over distribution of these polling units. But we had to respond to pleas by giving them pleasant voting experience on election day.
“That is why the past chairman brought the idea of voting points in close proximity to the main polling units. That is why we have voting points attached to the polling units. A number of these polling points were created. It didn’t change the number of polling units,” he noted.
Customs Corner
Volleyball: Customs Strikes Again, Defeats Saint Denis Olympique at 37th Club Championship in Egypt
Author: Cynthia Idowu.
The Nigeria Customs Service is not only known for its doggedness in fighting smuggling and generating revenue for the federal government, the service has demonstrated a high level of professionalism in sport at the ongoing 37th Women’s African Volleyball Club in Cairo, Egypt.
The Customs Volleyball Women’s Team defeated its opponent, Saint Denis Olympique, by 3 – 0 to imprint its first win at the ongoing championship on Saturday, 27th of April, 2024.
The team who came out strong displayed the anti-smuggling doggedness with a lead in the first set of the game with a 25 – 21 score, sending shivers down the opponent’s spine.
Coach Pricillia Agera led the team, who displayed good skill and dominance with a nail-biting scoreline of 29-27 to clinge victory and secure a place in the annals of volleyball history.
Coach Priscilla Agera hailed the players for their unwavering commitment and tenacity, recognising the challenges they had overcome to achieve victory on the court.
In her words, “Despite the obstacles we’ve faced, you’ve shown the world what it truly means to be a team. Your resilience, your determination, it’s what sets you apart.”
Agera also commended the unwavering support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his steadfast commitment to ensuring the team’s participation in the championship and his instrumentality to their success, providing them with the resources and support they needed to compete at the highest level.
She said, “I appreciate CGC for taking a bold step to allow the team to fly the flag of the nation in this championship.
“I also want to give kudos to the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod, for his approval in ensuring the team returns, not forgetting the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Habu Gumel, for his relentless support for volleyball”.
Nigeria Customs Service will face Mayo Kane Evolution on Sunday in their third match after losing to Kenya Pipeline in their first game on Friday.
Recall that the basketball team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) secured a spot among the top three teams at the recently concluded tournament held at the Indoor Hall of the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abuja.
By Lucy Nyambi
In a heartwarming gesture, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reached out to the family of Susan Odulaja, one of the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred during the sale of 25kg bags of rice in Lagos on February 23, 2024.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, sent a delegation led by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs/Zonal Coordinator Zone “A,” Hammi Swomen, to visit the family in Jibowu, Lagos State, on Friday, April 26, 2024.
During the visit, the Zonal Coordinator expressed the NCS’s deepest condolences to the family, stating, “We remember the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of four precious lives during the disposal of 25kg bags of rice at a reduced price of N10,000. We are here to support this family and demonstrate our commitment to their well-being.”
This visit marks the second time the NCS has reached out to the family, demonstrating the service’s commitment to showing compassion and empathy to those affected by the tragedy.
“We are here on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs to support this family. This is our second visit, but it is to demonstrate our continued support to the family.” He explained.
Commiserating with the widower, Michael Odulaja, ACG Swomen, pledged the NCS’ commitment to work with the family and support them continuously.”The service is mindful of the effects of this loss, and we have pledged to work with this family and support them continuously. “When you are grieving and have people around you, it reduces the trauma. Right now, we are going to report to the CGC, and the service is considering, in concrete terms, what to do going forward,” he stated.
In response, Odulaja appreciated the service representatives for their visit and support. He said, “I thank God and the Nigeria Customs Service for their support. Any support that they give us, I will ensure that I use it wisely and invest it in the children.”
It will be recalled that the Service issued a press statement after the unfortunate incident on the 26 of February 2024, promising to follow up with the families of the stampede victims.
According to the statement, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families during this challenging time, and we assure them of our unwavering support. We are working with the hospital officials to establish contact and engage directly with the victims’ families on the next step.”
Gift Wada
Assistant Comptroller of Customs Sanusi Saulawa has showcased Nigeria’s groundbreaking approaches to trade facilitation at the 2024 World Border Security Congress (WBSC) in Istanbul, Turkey.
Saulawa’s paper, “Enabling Trade Facilitation Under Fragile Borders: Nigeria’s Experience,” emphasised the challenges and opportunities faced by African borders, with Nigeria as a focal point.
The annual WBSC gathers law enforcement agents, industry experts, security analysts, IT vendors, scholars, and representatives from international organisations such as Interpol, WCO, AU, USCBP, UNODC, and OSCE.
The forum serves as a platform for brainstorming and exchanging ideas to address the complex issues surrounding global frontiers.
Saulawa’s presentation highlighted Nigeria Customs’ efforts in trade facilitation, including initiatives like the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program and Advance Ruling. These strategies aim to streamline border procedures, enhance security, and promote efficient trade flow.
By sharing Nigeria’s experience, Saulawa contributed to the collective effort to find practical solutions to the challenges posed by vast and often fragile borders. His paper underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing border security issues on a global scale.
The presentation solidifies Nigeria’s position as a leader in border management and trade facilitation efforts.
Volleyball: Customs Strikes Again, Defeats Saint Denis Olympique at 37th Club Championship in Egypt
Customs Visits Family of Rice Sale Stampede Victims, Rollout Support Strategies
Nigeria Customs Unveils Innovative Strategies at World Border Security Congress
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