Apapa customs, ICPC sensitises senior officers on public office accountability

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday urged its senior officers to maintain high standards of professionalism and integrity while carrying out their duties.

The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, made this call during a sensitization session organized for senior officers by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Apapa, Lagos.

Olomu emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, stressing that these values are critical to good governance and public service. “Transparency and accountability are not just ideals, they are essential pillars that support good governance and ensure public servants act in the best interests of the citizens they serve,” he said.

He further highlighted that the lecture came at a pivotal moment as Nigeria works to strengthen its institutions and promote a culture of integrity within the public sector.

“Together, we can work towards a more transparent and accountable public service that upholds ethical values, responsibility, and professionalism,” Olomu added.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Florence Bariboloka, the representative of the Resident Commissioner of ICPC, Lagos, urged officers to live within their means and resist societal pressures.

She warned that succumbing to pressure could lead to corruption and the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth.

“When you go to the village, your loved ones will expect you to arrive in a very big jeep just because you are a customs officer, they expect you to own a big house. Don’t define yourself by that,”

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Bariboloka advised, adding that such pressures could influence officers to demand bribes or overinflate amounts due to corruption.

Bariboloka also encouraged the officers to demonstrate humility and take responsibility for their actions, advising them to apologize when they make mistakes.

She recommended that the Command adopt the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard, which has been used in over 280 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the country to evaluate and promote ethical behavior.

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The ICPC representative urged the Apapa Customs Command to recognize and reward officers who exhibit exemplary conduct in line with the service’s code of ethics, and encouraged others to live up to these expectations.

The event served as a crucial reminder of the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the work of the Nigeria Customs Service.