“All zones ‘ll be represented in top mgt appointment, says customs”

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Recent appointment of top management officers in the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), has been alleged to have favoured mostly northerners, with little or no consideration for other regions of the country

The above position according to the image maker of the NCS, Joseph Attah, was unfounded and skewed presentation of facts as all the regions of the country were equally represented in the service management cadre.

NCS he said has continued to adhere strictly to federal character in its appointment of top management officers.

He stated that new appointments recently made in the service were in replacement of persons who either retired, resigned or were dismissed with the vacancies being filled by officers from same zones the vacancies were created.

Attah, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs also advised Nigerians to ignore the narrative described as “Northernisation” of the service management as untrue.

Part of Attah’s release reads: “Despite explanations by the Service at different times and fora. For the umpteenth time, the Service wishes to state as follows: That all the zones of the country are equally represented at the management cadre of NCS.

“Vacancy for new appointment is only made available through retirement resignation, dismissal or any natural cause.When any of the above occurs, such vacancies are filled by new appointments from the zone(s).

“In the last few months, there have been retirements of 2 DCGs, one from the North-East and the other from the North-West. There were also 3 ACGs that exited the Service, 2 retired, 1 dismissed. (1 from the North-East and 2 from North-West).

“Two DCG vacancies provided spaces for 2 Senior serving ACGs from the same zones of North-East and North-West to be appointed to the rank of DCG. This therefore increased the number of ACG vacancies to 5 which must be filled from the two zones that have the vacancies.

Attah

“Consequently, inline with procedures, the following appointments in acting capacities were made:Ag. DCG Abdullahi Babani – HRD (North-East)Ag. DCG Mohammed Boyi – NCS TRADOC (North-West)Ag ACG Saidu Galadima – ICT /Modernization (North-Central)Ag. ACG SM Modibo – Zone ‘B’ (North-East) Ag. ACG Uba Mohammed – E,I&I – ( North-West)Ag. ACG Hamza Gummi – T&T North-West.

“As a Federal Government agency, NCS has and abides strictly by the rules governing Recruitment, Promotion and Appointment into the Management cadre. We therefore urge Nigerians to ignore this mischievous twist,” Attah stated.