Ten days to the end of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the board of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Friday, approved the appointment of five senior officers as Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) and 15 Assistant Comptrollers-General of Customs (ACGs).
A press statement by the Service National Public Relations Officer, Abdulahi Maiwada, disclosed that the appointment was ratified at the 57th regular meeting chaired by the Honorable Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed.
According to Maiwada, the meeting for the ratification was held, on Thursday, 4th May 2023 at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja.
“The details of the confirmation are as follows: deputy comptroller generals are, M. Abba-Kura, DCG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation; A. G Saidu, DCG Human Resource Development.
Other DCGs are, “J.P Ajoku as DCG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives; B.A Adeniyi, DCG Strategic Research and Policy and G.A Itotoh, DCG/Commander Training and Doctrine Command.”
However, former Controller of the Apapa command of the service, Yusuf Malanta, was also appointed assistant comptroller general Training and cordination.
Others are, “O. Peters, ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘C’; A.I Alfa ACG Strategic Research and Policy; H.J Swomen, ACG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives; K.C Egwuh, ACG Doctrine Development and Administration Command; MBA MUSA, ACG Tariff and Trade and A Dappa-Wiliams, ACG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation and B.M Jibo, ACG Headquarters.
Also appointed are A.Hamisu, ACG/Commandant Nigeria Customs Command & Staff College; Y Salihu, ACG Finance & Admin; S.A Bomai, ACG Board; CK Niagwan, ACG Technical Services; K.I Adeola, ACG ICT/Modernization; I.O Babalola, ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘D’ and B.U Nwafor, ACG Human Resource Development.
He, however, stated in the statement that the minister expressed delight at the outcome of her stewardship of the Nigeria Customs Service Board.
“It has been a very interesting and educative experience for me as the Chairperson of the Nigeria Customs Service Board. We have seen during this process significant improvement in terms of the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service. We had cause to get several approvals for the Service including enhancement of the remuneration of the staff, and improvement in terms of cost of collections for the Nigeria Customs Service.”
“We have also been able to complete the process toward the realization of the rollout of the Trade Modernization Project. These are all fundamental building blocks that are going to work positively towards enhancing and modernizing the whole of the Nigeria Customs Service in line with the requirements of the World Customs Organization and other protocols that Nigeria is committed to.”
Addressing the future generation of Customs Officers, she emphasized the engagement of young officers, including women in the Service. In a related development, the board has also approved the implementation of a Competency-Based Accelerated Career Progression Plan (CBACPP). The plan is a proactive strategy designed to close the generational gap that could lead to leadership vacuum in the higher hierarchies of the Nigeria Customs Service if not addressed.
The Board also expressed pleasure over the recent enactment of the new Customs Act into law. To facilitate a seamless transition, the Board has made plans to organize a retreat for the Board Members and expanded Management of NCS. Following the retreat, a stakeholder education and engagement forum will be launched to inform the public about the provision of the new Act and the corresponding compliance requirement. The aim is to ensure clarity and understanding among stakeholders, enabling them to adapt to the new regulations effectively. Also, the effective date for the full implementation of the New Act is a priority that will be addressed in due course.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) CFR congratulates the newly appointed Officers and charged them to work diligently for a better and prosperous Service. He emphasized the importance of their roles in achieving the Service’s core functions of revenue collection, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation.
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