by Azeez Adeniyi

Spokesman of the Senate, Sani Abdullahi has said the Customs was trying to introduce a policy that will infringe on the welfare and security of Nigerians.

Abdullahi said this while speaking with journalists after the Senate mandated Customs Comptroller General, Hameed Ali to appear before it in his uniform on Wednesday.

The upper chambers had summoned Ali last week but the customs boss in a letter stated that he could not appear because of a “fortnightly meeting of the NCS management”.

He asked the Senate to fix another date convenient for him.

The legislators kicked against it, insisting that Ali should appear on the date given to him.

Sani said the Senate will not support any anti-people policy by the customs.

“The subject matter for which we are summoning is not dare but critical to Nigerians. They are reports already as a result of this draconian policy. We stand by the Nigerian people. The primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.

“Any policy that infringe on the welfare and security of Nigerians is not a policy. The Nigerian customs is being run in a way that Nigerians will pay for their inefficiencies.

“You have done everything to buy a vehicle to give comfort to your family and somebody comes and tells you this – where is your customs duty? This is why the senate is not in support of the policy. It’s anti-people.”