We’ll maintain our transparency standard in promoting qualified officers —Customs CG

By Clement Omanibe

Sequel to the commencement of the 2024 promotion examination for officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to maintaining its transparency and justice in promoting deserving candidates.

CGC Adeniyi disclosed this on Monday when he paid an inspection visit to one of the Service’s examination venues at SASCON in Maitama District, Abuja, to assess the level of preparedness and conduct of the exercise.

“We are committed to applying the same rigorous standards as in the previous promotion exercise, which was widely recognised for its fairness. Our goal and standard remain to ensure that every deserving candidate is promoted on merit,” he said.

“So, in terms of transparency, we are ready to put in enough efforts to ensure tight security at the venues and essentialize the arrangements. We’ve done enough to ensure that we build a lot of integrity into the process. Thus, we want them to believe in the outcome of promotion exams,” he added.

The Comptroller-General also emphasised the security measures put in place to maintain the examination’s integrity, noting that invigilation and other safeguarding measures had been strengthened to prevent any form of malpractices.

While highlighting the competitive nature of the process, CGC Adeniyi acknowledged that the limited vacancies for Deputy Comptroller and Comptroller positions would make this cycle particularly challenging. “We are determined to identify and promote the most qualified officers,” he said.

Meanwhile, to ensure inclusivity, CGC Adeniyi confirmed that technological provisions had been made for officers currently posted abroad, allowing them to participate in the examination simultaneously with their counterparts in Nigeria.

He also said: “We have a few candidates who are not in the country, and we have made significant efforts to apply some technological approach to engage them in the examination process at the same time with their colleagues in Nigeria, through the assistance of the National Intelligence Agency.”

“This promotion exercise is not only statutory but crucial to maintaining the high standards of our Service. Every eligible officer will be promoted based on their performance. Whoever is deemed to have done well can rest, assured that their promotion will fairly be granted as it will be based on merit.”

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