Ali plans meeting with Buhari on welfare of Customs officers

Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has promised to improve the welfare of his officers.

Speaking on Monday during a familiarisation visit to the customs command in Minna, capital of Niger state, Ali lamented the poor welfare of his men.

He promised to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the issue of remuneration but said the service must meet its revenue targets to justify better welfare package.

“I am not happy with the remuneration of the customs personnel. I will go to Mr President to plead that something is done about it,” he said.

“We will renovate existing structures that need attention and build new ones where there is need.”

Ali said issues of office and residential accommodation for customs personnel would be given priority as soon as the service received funds.

He also complained about the rot in the system, saying the era of “godfatherism” is over in customs.

“No more godfather in the posting of the Nigeria Customs Service personnel. I urge you to desist from such acts capable of bring the service to disrepute,” he said.

“The customs knows where you can put in your best so we will post you there, instead of where you will be loyal to somebody at the detriment of the service.

“Posting based on whom you know has been encouraging corruption as personnel involved remit money gotten through corrupt practices to their godfathers.”

He said that the customs was being re-positioned to block avenues of wastage.

Ali tasked officers and men of the command to increase patrol to stop or minimise the proliferation of small arms through the border areas.