After Ships & Ports report, Customs moves to address stranded officers’ plight 

Hameed Ali

One week after SHIPS & PORTS DAILY reported exclusively that Customs officers who were recently redeployed to various commands and units across the country were stranded due to the nonpayment of their transfer allowances, the management of Nigeria Customs Service has moved to provide succour to the affected officers. 

NCS also said it has started work on implementing salary increase for some newly promoted officers. 

Customs National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah told SHIPS & PORTS DAILY that efforts by the Service to ensure prompt payment of the allowances and salary review have reached advanced stage.

“The preparation of the Salary Variation Advice (SVA) and the preparation of the 28 day allowance is at an advanced stage. Hopefully any moment from now, officers will get what is their due.

“The SVA is for those who were promoted and they need to have increment on their salary. 

“Preparation for the 28 days for officers who were affected by the transfer is also on. Both issues are almost done and they are at an advanced stage.

“In the case of 28 days, there was mass movement of officers, so the finance department have been working none stop to perfect everything,” the Customs spokesman said. 

SHIPS & PORTS DAILY reported last week that some Customs officers have resorted to sleeping in their cars, mosques and church chapels because they do not have money to rent accommodation due to the nonpayment of their transfer allowances.