The Federal Government on Monday appointed six new Deputy Comptroller Generals (DCGs) for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
It also retired three of the four serving DCGs. Those retired include the DCG Human Resource Development, Garba Makarfi; DCG Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Saka Yinusa; and DCG Modernization, Research & Economic Relation, M.D. Jatau while DCG Corporate & Support Service, John Atte, was fortunate to retain his position.
The new appointments are coming on the heels of a meeting of the NCS Board chaired by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Shortly after the meeting last Thursday, Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Customs board chair, announced the impending appointments and promotions saying that it was aimed at motivating officers and men of the NCS towards greater productivity especially with regards to the implementation of the destination inspection scheme which the Service took over from private destination inspection companies in Dec. 2013.
According to her, “Customs is a very important service in the nation and we know that this is a time for promotions and appointments and the Board takes this very seriously.”
Each of the new DCGs represents a geo-political zone of the country. They include Tahir Musa (North East); Ibrahim Mera (North West); and John Atte (South South).
The other new appointees are Deputy Comptroller General Nwosu (South East); DCG Aliyu (North Central); and DCG Adewuyi (South West).
Usually authoritative sources at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja informed SHIPS & PORTS DAILY that the appointments were done to address lopsidedness in the NCS hierarchy and ensure compliance with the principles of federal character.
The source also disclosed that the board approved the promotion of some officers on the rank of comptroller to Assistant Comptroller General.
When contacted, Deputy National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Joseph Attah said the decision of the board on the elevations had not been conveyed to his unit.
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