Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that his administration will be launching a comprehensive investigation into the Customs and Revenue Departments, amid growing concerns about irregularities and possible corruption within the system.
Browne said the probe will extend across all departments within the revenue service, with the goal of identifying weaknesses, rooting out misconduct, and restoring full integrity to government operations.
According to the Prime Minister, the government is determined to ensure that the nation’s tax and customs systems operate with full transparency and accountability. He confirmed that the investigation will include both internal audits and external oversight mechanisms, designed to expose any wrongdoing and strengthen procedures.
As part of this effort, Browne revealed that private citizens will be engaged to work alongside Customs officers, providing an additional layer of monitoring and independent verification. This measure, he said, is intended to prevent conflicts of interest and increase public confidence in the department’s operations.
The announcement follows heightened public attention surrounding recent developments within the Customs Division, including the sudden resignation of Comptroller Raju Boddu and reports of procedural breaches in vehicle imports.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and zero tolerance for corruption, pledging that the findings of the investigation will guide decisive reforms across the public sector.
So that’s millions of dollars that the government could have spent elsewhere like in overtime and back pay. Smfh
On more than one occasion, this dude alluded to problems at the port. What, the brutal murder of Nigel Christian did not teach us anything? What was it the Nigel Christian knee that resulted in his murder? Don’t forget,this same PM was on his Rumshop stating that he knows Antigua has murder for hire. Our country is corrupt and it all starts at the top.
Finally
Strong decision Fixing Customs and Revenue is essential if Antigua and Barbuda wants economic growth.
This probe might finally clean up some long-standing issues, but I hope it doesn’t just shift the blame around. Real reform is what we need, starting from the top down.
PM Too little too late. You know this was going on . Is not today they doing bobol