THISDAYonline

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has set up a unit within the Ministry of Finance to assist the new management team of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) to fight corruption.

Minister of State for Finance, Mrs. Nenadi Usman who made this known at the presentation of three units of Toyota Hilux Pick Up worth of N10 million by British American Tobacco (BAT) to the NCS expressed the belief that if the Service succeeds in the fight against corruption, it has succeeded in fighting 30 per cent of corruption in the economy.

Only recently, the minister at the swearing-in of the new comptroller-general, had claimed that 30 percent of corruption in the economy, is traceable to the Service.

The vehicles were donated to the Enforcement Unit of the Nigeria Customs Services to assist in its effort at combating illicit trade not only in tobacco but other goods affecting local industries in the country.

She said the fight against corruption and smuggling should not be left to the government alone. "We must take it upon ourselves and fight corruption, if we must succeed," she urged.

She claimed that most of the smugglers are rich and through smuggling, they have succeeded in keeping many people out of jobs. According to her, "smuggling has made so many factories close down and husbands out of jobs. This has led to some women being breadwinners of their family. This is not right."

Therefore, she maintained, "if we must fight poverty, these are the things we must get rid of," urging that "whatever we can do, we must do it."