Customs remove HND dichotomy, promotes 3487 officers

•Col. Ali (rtd)

Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers who are holders of Higher National Diploma (HND), on Monday received good news from the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali, who raised their salary grade from 07 to level 08.

The Customs boss, who decorated some of the 3,487 senior officers that were newly promoted in Abuja, told them that their promotion was purely on merit and a call for more work.

He also announced that the rank structure of the Nigeria Customs Service has been aligned with that of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The decisions, according to him, were expected to boost the morale of the officers and eliminate confusion in the seniority of officers.

His words: “In compliance with circular Ref: HCSF/EIR/CND/100/ST/98 of 8th September, 2016 from Head of Service of the Federation and the approval of Government since April 1992 for the Nigeria Customs Service to align with the Nigeria Police Force rank restructure and in fulfillment of the CGC’s mandate to reorganize and reform the Nigeria Customs Service. The CGC has directed as follows:

“i) All HND holders currently on salary grade level 07 are automatically moved to salary grade level 08. Supplementary budget will be made for payment of arrears of salary;

ii) The rank structure of the service is aligned with the Nigeria Police Force forthwith;

iii) Officers in the Inspectorate Cadre on Salary Level 08 and above are to align to appropriate rank in the Superintendent Cadre.

“This is expected to boost the morale of officers and eliminate confusion in the seniority of officers.”

Ali told the officers that the days of basing promotion on sentiments are over, stressing leverage of federal character that they enjoy at the point of entry, what counts soon after that is merit and hard-work.

He said that the promoted officers which include the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah that is now a Deputy Comptroller, do not owe anyone any gratitude except God and their efforts that earned them the promotion.

The Comptroller General said: “we had in the past promoted people who did not deserve it and that was what we met in the management. But now merit is key to your promotion.”

He also announced that the Customs and Command College, will in June commence operation as a full command.