N2 billion retirement incentive, N180 million fumigation for Customs shock Senate

The incentive was revealed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs, Senator Francis Alimikhena, in the 2021 budget report for the Nigeria Customs Service.

He said that the sum of N2 billion would be used to settle retirees.

“That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs on the 2021 budget of the Nigerian Customs Service.”

Nigeria Senate was further disappointed at the job by the Committee Chairman with regards to the provision of N300 million for servicing of non-functional aircraft, N180 million for fumigation in the 2021 budget.

But expressing shock on how retirees leaving the service could gulp such amount, Senator Sam Egwu called for further clarification.

Egwu who was a former governor of Ebonyi State allayed fears that adequate interrogation was not likely carried out by the Committee before the budget was packaged for consideration.

Reacting, Senator Alimikhena explained that the welfare package was meant for all rounds. “They have welfare package for all retired officers. When an officer retires and considered to have done well, there will be extra incentive.

Before the Customs total budget of N1.6 trillion was reluctantly passed into law, Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan rebuked the Committee Chairman, saying he has not done his oversight functions.