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.
… To be Awarded with Post-Mortem Promotion to Comptroller of Customs
By Abra Iruoghene
The Nigeria Customs Service and the National Hospital held a Service of Songs for the Late Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Revenue Etop Andrew Essien, who passed on on June 25 2024, at the National Assembly while making a presentation before the House Committee on Public Accounts.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, while speaking at the event on 23 July 2024, noted he was out of the country when he heard the sad news of Essien’s demise. He said he was greatly bereaved to lose such a professional who was an epitome of excellence.
Describing DC Essien, Adeniyi said he was someone who took on every assignment and gave the best he had. “He was always prepared with facts and figures to defend the NCS”, he added.
Adeniyi said, “If money could bring him back, the Nigeria Customs Service would have done all they could to bring him back to life. The NCS will live up to those values he died for, which are Professionalism and Sincerity. ”
Still speaking, he said, “The NCS will give the late DC a burial of heroes. A meeting has been held on his behalf, and a proposal will be submitted to the Customs Board for a post-mortem promotion to the rank of Comptroller of Customs. Also, the children are now my friends. They are the children of heroes and will be treated as such. ”
He further encouraged officers to serve wholeheartedly with discipline and professionalism. Stating those who sacrifice their lives in the Nigeria Customs Service will not sacrifice in vain but will be remembered forever.
… Urges TCIP Officers to Adhere Strictly to Established Procedures
By Ibe Wada
The Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Saidu Yusuf, has emphasised the critical importance of intensifying cargo examination at Tincan Island Port to enhance national safety.
During his working visit to the command on Wednesday, 24 July 2024, Yusuf highlighted the necessity of rigorous checks to prevent the entry of expired products and illicit drugs into the country.
“We need to intensify our examination of cargo, as this is a main exercise for the Nigeria Customs Service. There is a need for thorough inspections at every stage, using the various parameters and tools provided by the service,” Yusuf stated.
“We also face issues with illicit and expired products. Beyond revenue collection, our role is to protect the lives and safety of the nation. Failure to do so could result in us becoming victims, directly or indirectly’’. He emphasised.
The ACG stressed that customs officers must adhere strictly to established procedures to ensure accountability and efficiency. “We must be diligent in all that we do to justify the actions required of us. I urge everyone not to relent in following the laid-down procedures. The Tincan Island command, under the leadership of Comptroller Dera Nnadi, has demonstrated efficiency, particularly in intercepting and seizing illicit drugs, arms, and ammunition”.
Yusuf also praised the implementation of new trade facilitation tools, including the Time Release Study and the Advance Ruling System, which have been introduced to enhance operational efficiency.
Acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the Customs Area Controller (CAC), he commended the team for their hard work under his leadership. He called for increased vigilance, especially in light of recent security challenges and rising smuggling activities.
In his address, Comptroller Dera Nnadi explained that the command is committed to its statutory obligations, which include revenue generation, trade facilitation, and securing the nations border.
“We have been creating an enabling environment for stakeholders engaged in legitimate trade, and we declared this year as the year of stakeholders in the command”, he said.
Nnadi reported that as of 24 July 2024, the command had collected six hundred and sixty-nine billion, five hundred and sixty-one million, nine hundred and forty-seven thousand naira (N669,562,947,000) and affirmed that the command remains focused on its revenue target for the year.
He also highlighted challenges, particularly regarding office infrastructure, and stressed the need for renovation.
The CAC appreciated the Zonal Coordinator for taking the time to visit the command and offer valuable advice to the officers.
…Reassures of Command’s Operational Efficiency
By Vivian Daniel
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the PH Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Command, Onne, Rivers State, Comptroller Usman Seriki, on Monday, 22 July 2024, paid a courtesy call to the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Oil and Gas FTZ Authority, Bamanga Jada, in his office at Mable House, Onne, Rivers State, to consolidate relations with the officials.
This was contained in a press statement signed on Tuesday, 23 July 2024, by the Command Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, Paul Gimba, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller.
According to the statement, this aligns with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to collaborate with stakeholders for efficiency in revenue drive, suppression of smuggling, and facilitation of legitimate trade.
The CAC assured the MD of upholding and improving the established relationship between both organisations regarding trade facilitation and supervising compliance in the Free Zone.
“This relationship is significant because it will enhance operational efficiency, trade facilitation, and regulatory compliance in the Oil and Gas Free Zone,” he re-emphasized.
The MD appreciated the CAC and the Service for contributing to the many success stories of the Free Trade Zone. He added that “this cooperation can further contribute to overall economic growth by boosting trade volume, creating a more efficient and attractive business environment in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Zone.”
The General Manager of Operations, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Adekunle Ajayi, recognised that the harmony between the two agencies has diminished bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensured seamless processes in the environment.
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