It said that contrary to insinuations in some quarters that the exit of five Deputy Comptrollers-General last Thursday would create a vacuum, the NCS explained that Assistant Comptrollers-General had been directed to take charge in order to continue the duties of those officers retired.
The Public Relations Officer, NCS, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, while responding to enquiries from our correspondent stated that the level of synergy within the organisation would make it difficult to feel the absence of the retired officers.
A total of 35 senior officers of the service were retired last week in a reorganisation exercise aimed at repositioning the customs for improved performance.
Those affected in the exercise were five deputy comptrollers-general. They were John Atte, Ibrahim Mera, Musa Tahir, Austin Nwosu and Akinade Adewuyi.
Before their retirement, Atte was the DCG, Finance Administration and Technical Services, Adewuyi was the DCG in charge of Tariff and Trade,while Nwosu was the DCG, Strategic Research and Policy.
Tahir was the DCG in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection while Mera was the DCG, Human Resource Development.
Three others with the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General were also affected in the reorganisation.
They were the Secretary to the Nigeria Customs Board, Madu Mohammed; Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’, Victor Gbemudu; and Assistant Comptroller-General, (Headquarters), Bello Liman.
The rest were of the rank of comptrollers serving in Customs headquarters, zonal offices and various area commands.
Wale, however, admitted that while “restructuring always comes with its costs, the agency will adjust by taking up the challenges as they emerge.”
He said, “There is no doubt reorganisation of this magnitude may come with some initial problems.
“However, don’t forget we have walked this route before. I believe we will readjust and take on the challenges the change process may bring.
“Already, the Assistant Comptrollers-General have stepped up and are holding the fort.”
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