We cannot compromise our statutory duties

The day Ahmed Numan was appointed as the Commissioner General of Customs by President Solih. Photo by: President's Office

By: Ahmed Numan

When matters of controversies arises, it is not wise for us to make random opinions. When public tender is contested and the winning party make an international procurement, that process is neither part of customs’ scrutiny nor customs would not be furnished with that tender information. All what customs know is the nature of consignment. Perhaps customs would not be in the position to judge as to whether the nature of the consignment comply with tender contract as that is a different process altogether.

It is often a wide belief that corruption within customs institution manifests itself through various forms, including petty bribery, bureaucratic corruption, misappropriation, organized crime related corruption and political corruption. However, the level which it could take place is uncertain. Let’s take the MMPRC case as an example. It’s s scandal which took place through the established frameworks of our financial laws as per financial experts. But logically, how can a bank just clear hefty amounts of Cheques for a business entity in an unquestionable manner! Simply it does not make sense that the most inner circles within is not aware about this.

In my opinion, the MMPRC embezzlement is a classic example of an organized corruption that was carried out by deliberately compromising all internal controls of multiple agencies. It occurred outside the bounds of the system. MMPRC case proves that it was the state that was at the brink of collapse.

Governments comes and goes but the state institutions should be impartial and carry out their duties by all means necessary. This is what we at customs consider as a state institution, regardless of whichever government of the time. Yes, what I meant is that we cannot compromise our statutory duties. I would rather not give a fact sheet of Maldives customs service but I can make general opinions that as I understand would apply under circumstances.

Disclaimer: Above is an exclusive opinion written to Adamington Online on 16^th February 2020 by Late Ahmed Numan who was the first Commissioner General of Customs at President Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. Mr. Numan was the Chairman of the Gender and Human Rights Committee of the Adhaalath Party, a member of its Advisory Committee and a member of the Islamic party’s General Discussions Committee. He was the first Chairman of utility company Fenaka Corporation which was established by Former Re-instated President Dr Mohamed Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik on 18^th June 2012. He also worked in the Housing Ministry, Maldives National University (MNU) and the State Electric Company (STELCO) for a long duration. Mr. Ahmed Numan, who served as the Commissioner General of Maldives Customs Service from 11^th December 2018, passed away on 7^th April 2020 at the intensive care unit of a hospital in Bangalore, India while preparing for a kidney transplant operation. Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not reflect Adamington Online’s point-of-view.