CGC, Inde Dikko Abdullahi

John Iwori

Not less than N90 billion is being raked in monthly by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) into the coffers of the Federal Government.

The amount differs significantly from the N30 billion NCS was collecting monthly in 2009, represents a 300 per cent increase in revenue generation over the same period.

This was disclosed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Inde Dikko Abdullahi, while decorating newly-promoted officers and men of the service recently in Abuja.

Abdullahi charged the affected officers to see their promotion as a call to higher duties even as he expressed satisfaction on the growth of revenue presently collected by NCS.
He maintained that the new ranks have brought some fresh hands into some offices to contribute to the ongoing transformation of NCS. His words: “You must prove yourself worthy of this trust. The present Customs Service has no place for those who see higher position as opportunity for selfish interest”.

A total of 1,729 Customs officers were promoted by Nigeria Customs Service Board in its 42nd meeting. A breakdown of the promotion showed that 587 personnel were promoted to senior officers of the Superintendent cadre, 743 of the Inspectorate cadre and 258 from the supporting units of the Service.

Responding on behalf of the newly promoted Comptrollers, Comptroller Ade Dosumu thanked the board and management of NCS for the confidence reposed in them and promised to work hard to justify elevation.

He said the privilege of promotion cannot be toyed with, assuring the Comptroller General of Customs of their determination to contribute towards the achievement of the service 6-point agenda with renewed vigour.

Among those promoted were Comptroller Olanrewaju Taju, Comptroller Olawuwo Julius, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adeniyi, and Assistant Comptroller Joseph Attah. The service also approved the promotion of 141 junior men from the ranks of Customs Assistant to Inspector of Customs.