Customs

Ali promises to deliver new Customs headquarters before exit

—- as he inspects ongoing construction work in Abuja

Eyewitness reporter

The Comptroller General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, has promised to deliver the ongoing construction of the new ultra-modern Customs Headquarters before he takes his exit from the service.

He made this promise while he alongside his management team, visited the site of the Nigeria Customs Service Corporate Headquarters, located in Maitama, to assess the progress of the ongoing project.

The CGC and his team were taken on a tour of the huge infrastructure and given a brief overview of structural integrity, maintenance expectations, among others.

The Comptroller General was impressed by what he saw, stating that “I have seen what is going on, although I have not been around for quite some time. I am highly impressed by what is happening. Today, I appreciate the massiveness of the building. We will do the best we can.

“At the end of the day, what we hope to deliver is a qualitative project for future Customs Officers to enjoy using. Some of us will soon go but we want to hope and make sure we leave something that will be remembered by many.”

The Lead Consultant of the project, Hussaini Dikko expressed confidence that the project will be unveiled soon and that the wait would be worth it.

He stated, “It has taken so long for various reasons. But, we thank God we are delivering something that, in our opinion, is the most cost-effective federal building in Abuja. Also, we are trying to upgrade it to be one of the most qualitative.

“We will deliver this project, one that the service and the nation will be very proud of,” he added.

Customs

Exclusive! Mass retirement hits Customs as 549 officers bow out of service in 2023

CGC, Ali

Break down; DCG( I), ACG (6),Comptrollers(30), DC(68) AC (110),CSC(133),SC (52),DSC(79) ,ASC1(58) ,ASC11(11),CA1(1)

Eyewitness reporter

A whirlwind of retirement has hit the Nigeria Customs Service as 549 officers of different cadres have been penciled down for statutory retirement in 2023,

In a circular no HRD/2022/13 sighted by our reporter, the breakdown of the affected officers shows that 1 DCG, 6 ACG, 30 Comptrollers, 68 Deputy Comptrollers, 110 Assistant Comptrollers, 133 Chief Superintendent of Customs, 52 Superintendent of Customs, 79 Deputy Superintendents, 58 Assistant Superintendent of Customs1, 11 Assistant Superintendent of CustomsII and 1 Customs AssistantI, were due for retirement in 2023.

According to the circular dated May 10th, 2022 with reference number NCS/ADM/EST/098/S.1 and signed by OM Agbara, Comptroller of Establishment for AG. Deputy Comptroller-General (HDR), the affected officers, who are being shipped out of the service on account of age or number of years in the service, are advised to proceed on three months pre-retirement leave, three months to the effective date of their retirement.

The circular titled list of Officers/men for statutory retirement in the year 2023” reads

”I am directed to forward the attached list on the above subject matter as pre-retirement notice to all affected officers.

” ln accordance with the Public service Rule (PSR) No. 100238 and Federal Government circular No.63216/S.i/X/T; CR 1,/2OO1/5 of 2O/O3/2OOl, all affected officers due for retirement in 2023 are to disengage from the active service and proceed on three (3)months pre-retirement leave, three months to the effective date of retirement.

” AII affected officers are to ensure compliance and forward their three months pre-retirement notice to the Comptroller-General

accordingly.

” Any observed error, omission, or legitimate complaints should be forwarded to the office of the Comptroller General of Customs through the Ag. Deputy Comptroller-General (HRD) on or before 30th June 2022.

” Zonal Coordinators, Area Controllers, and Unit Heads are requested to make the list available for circulation to all the affected officers in their respective Zones, Areas, and Units

Customs

Customs High Command interdicts officers over assault on Gov. Okonwa’s aide

Eyewitness reporter

The management of the Nigeria Customs Service has reacted to the viral video where a member of the roving team of the FOU Zone ‘C’ assaulted an unarmed civilian.

In the press statement signed by Timi Bomodi, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, the Customs High Command expressed outrage over the conduct of its officer and said the offending officer and other members of his team have been withdrawn from their patrol duties and placed under administrative investigation.

“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to a video making the rounds on social media.

“In it, one of our officers was recorded assaulting an unarmed civilian.

“This action took place on the Benin – Agbor expressway on Saturday the 7th of May 2022 at about 5.00 pm.

“This officer and other members of that team from FOU Zone ‘C’ have since been withdrawn from patrol duties and are currently under administrative investigation at the NCS Zonal Headquarters Zone ‘C’ Port Harcourt.

“Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been trained to carry out their duties with dignity and respect, and are expected to display decorum in all their conduct at all times.

“Where they fail to carry out their brief as assigned, appropriate sanctions are applied to enforce discipline.

” The NCS would like to reassure the general public of its commitment to the welfare and safety of all citizens and frowns seriously at any act by its personnel capable of misrepresenting its corporate image.

“We ask that all law-abiding persons go about their activities without fear of intimidation or harassment as we work assiduously to bring closure to this unwholesome incident” the statement concluded.

In the viral video which has sparked public outrage, a Customs Officer attached to the roving team of the Custom’s FOU Zone C, was seen slapping a civilian identified as Samson Nwachukwu, an aide to the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okonwa, along Benin/ Agbor expressway Saturday, May 7th, 2022.

Customs

Drama as Customs officer slaps Gov Okowa’s aide along Benin/Agbor expressway (Video)

A mild drama ensured Saturday along Benin/ Agbor Expressway when a member of the Customs’ patrol team assaulted the Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Samson Nwachukwu, for an undisclosed reason

A Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, shared the video of the moment the customs officer slapped Mr. Samson Nwachukwu along the Benin/Agbor Expressway in the presence of his colleague and a military officer.