Rumblings in Customs Over Redeployment, Promotions •As Axe Angles on 29 Comptrollers

Anxieties now  permeate the hierarchy of the Nigeria Customs Service following last week’s redeployment of 94 Comptrollers which came about two weeks after the ranks of Comptrollers were swelled by the promotion of   about 40 deputy controllers to the rank of comptrollers.
At least 29 of those who were redeployed last week may be on their way out of the service following moves by some powerful forces within the service to push for the retirement of Comptrollers who have stayed on that rank for at least 10 years.
On the list of 94 who were affected by last week’s redeployment, at least 29 had been promoted to the rank of Comptrollers more than 10 years ago; some have even been on that rank since 1988 while many were last promoted in 1996.
Shipping Position Weekly confirmed that the recent promotion of 40 officers was to pave the way for the retirement of the 29 officers who are considered to have overstayed on one rank.
Our source disclosed that some of the officers are victims of the federal character policy of the federal government and that promotions are based on quota system as well as vacancy based on state of origin.
Already, the rumblings which accompanied the last mass promotion exercise are yet to subside as petitions on account of the exercise were received at the National Assembly which only recently dropped the idea of probing it.
Although, our correspondent could not confirm when those who will have to go will receive their letters, it was authoritatively confirmed that the move to retire them has already received the temporary endorsement of the Customs board which is chaired the minister of finance.