Following the examples set by the Nigeria Police Force, which recently promoted over 20,000 rank and file as incentive to boost morale, and efficiency, the Nigeria Customs Service yesterday announced the promotion of 3,487 senior officers, all of who were HND holders.
The move was seen as a way to bridge the gap between certificate holders with university degree equivalent, a source of acrimony and demoralization in workforces across government agencies and ministries
Announcing the promotions yesterday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, said that HND holders on salary Grade Level GL 07 in the service will move to GL 08 and a supplementary budget will be made for their salary arrears.
“This is expected to boost the morale of officers and eliminate confusion in the seniority of officers, “Ali said, adding, “From this moment things have changed therefore; you are now required to take up greater responsibilities.
Continuing, he said; “All the promoted officers have worked hard to achieve this; in the past, officers were promoted when they are not supposed to. Merit is the key to promotion; diligence and hard work is the key to success. We have to get `God fatherism’ out of Customs before we leave, ”
During the decoration ceremony that followed, nine officers were decorated. Six of them were Comptrollers; two Deputy Comptrollers and one Assistant Comptroller.
