The government has announced that the acting Comptroller of Customs will retain the position following the resignation of Raju Boddu, who stepped down amid an ongoing investigation into procurement irregularities. During a post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday, Cabinet spokesperson Maurice Merchant confirmed the decision but did not disclose the acting officer’s name. Merchant indicated that Boddu’s resignation is likely linked to issues surrounding the collection of duties and taxes by the government of Antigua and Barbuda. The acting officer will remain in place until a permanent Comptroller is appointed. The resignation comes in the wake of revelations about unauthorized purchases of high-end vehicles, which the Prime Minister described as a case of ‘willful neglect.’ A comprehensive audit of all government-owned vehicles has been ordered to verify whether proper duties and taxes were collected. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance, through the Financial Secretary, has been tasked with meeting vehicle dealers to identify irregularities and recover potential revenue losses. While no evidence has yet emerged implicating public officials in personal gain, investigations are ongoing. The probe has spurred plans for broader staff rotations and enhanced oversight within the public service to bolster transparency and accountability.
Acting Comptroller to Remain in Post Following Boddu’s Resignation amid Procurement Probe
