Some top officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) who have reached the end of their service years have refused to leave office and are currently lobbying for ane extension of service, aggrieved personnel of the agency have informed SaharaReporters.
It was learnt that the indicted personnel include high-ranking officers such as the Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs), the Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs), the Comptrollers and the Deputy Comptrollers, who are allegedly lobbying for extension to their service years.
According to sources, the officers have failed to proceed on retirement leave, and some have continued to report to work even after their service years have expired.
The excuse given is that they are waiting for extensions from the Aso Rock Villa.
The development has been described as unhealthy and unprecedented in the public service sector, with concerns that it may create confusion and disrupt the normal functioning of the organisation.
Sources who spoke to newsmen on Thursday, lamented the development. “Officers who are billed to retire have failed to go on retirement leave, while others after spending the retirement leave period were still coming to the office until their service expired. Now, they are still coming to the office with the excuse that, they are waiting for extension from the Villa,” one of the sources in the NCS revealed.
Describing the development as unhealthy and unheard of in the scheme of public service, the sources said that if allowed to continue, it will create confusion and disrupts the normal functioning of the organisation.
“The implication of Nigeria Customs officials failing to vacate their offices after retirement can be severe. For one, it creates confusion and disrupts the normal functioning of the organisation.
“Newly promoted officers are unable to take over their new roles, and the retired officers, although not in uniform, still report to work, creating an awkward situation.
“This situation also raises questions about the leadership and management of the Nigeria Customs Service. The Comptroller-General of Customs lacks the authority to retire or promote certain level of officers without the approval of the board, which is currently non-existent.”
Another source blamed the refusal of the officers to go on corruption, adding that the influence of retired officers in the customs service were enormous.
“There have been allegations that some retired officers have amassed significant wealth and influence, which they continue to wield even after retirement,” the sources claimed.
“The failure of retired Nigeria Customs officials to vacate their offices has significant implications for the organisation, its leadership, and the country as a whole.”
Some of the top officers who refused to vacate office according to sources are: “ACG B IMAM, ACG IG UMAR, ACG IQ OGBUDU, COMPT MT AWE, COMPT KR KOLADE.”
Meanwhile, the personnel called on President Bola Tinubu not to extend the tenure of retired customs officers, insisting that “extending the tenure of retired customs officers can create a system where meritocracy is undermined, and younger officers are denied opportunities for growth and advancement”.
“Allowing retired officers to remain in their positions can block the career progression of younger, more energetic, and potentially more innovative officers. It can perpetuate corruption, as those who have been in the system for a long time may have established networks and relationships that can be used for personal gain.”
The source further added, “allowing retired officers to continue in service may not bring fresh perspectives or new ideas to the table, which can hinder the growth and development of the customs service.”
“Above all, extending the tenure of retired customs officers may contravene the laws governing retirement in the civil service, which can create legal and administrative challenge,” the sources opined.
Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, were unsuccessful as his phone could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
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