The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it had begun work with the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, to sponsor a Bill for the establishment of a separate entity – NCS Pension Administration.
The Customs Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi said the initiative is modelled after the Nigerian military, which has its separate pension service.
Adeniyi broke the news at the weekend in Abuja during the Reunion of Old and New Management Members of the Nigeria Customs Service, with the theme: Our Customs Heroes.
Those at the reunion included ex-Comptroller Generals of Customs, retired Deputy Comptrollers-General of Customs and Assistant Comptroller-Generals of Customs.
The immediate past CG, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), was also present among other leaders of the management workers of the NCS.
Adeniyi said: “Recognising the urgency of addressing pension concerns, discussions have been initiated with the Minister of Finance to sponsor a Bill aimed at establishing a separate entity for the management of NCS pension administration.
“This model will be mirroring successful models in other sectors, such as the military”.
The Customs boss had announced that owing to the commitment of the NCS to better welfare for its former workers, it initiated several measures to ameliorate the plight of its retired officers.
He said among the provisions in the gazette are the reviews and measures to enhance the welfare framework of retired officers.
Adeniyi also said the Human Resource Department (HRD) had been engaged in transitioning the verification of retired Customs officers from a physical format to a digital format to streamline and expedite the processes.
The Customs boss said that based on the wealth of experience of the retired officers, the service was planning to engage them as consultants.
Adeniyi also announced that in view of the prevailing security challenges in the country, the NCS was taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its management officers during their transit, transfers and travels.
He said: “This will incur comprehensive security protocols to guarantee their wellbeing in transit, reflecting our commitment to the holistic welfare and significant security of all of you.
“Those ongoing efforts signify our dedication to enhancing the post-service experience of our retired officers and reinforcing the pivotal role they play in the continued success of the Nigeria Customs Service”.
On the healthcare of retired management officers, the Customs boss said the NCS would not leave their healthcare burden to only them to bear.
“We recognise the critical importance of prioritising the healthcare needs of our retired officers.
“Your health is not only a personal priority but a shared responsibility for all of us.
“We commit to ensuring that healthcare remains the central focus providing you with the care and support that you need”, said Adeniyi.
He hoped that the reunion would be a symbol of commitment to build a virile NCS.
The Customs boss noted that several organisations, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Breweries Limited, and international oil companies (IOCs) tapped into the wealth of expertise of their retired officers by engaging them as consultants.
Adeniyi acknowledged that the NCS has abundant expertise among the retired management officers who were present at the reunion.
He added that in various organizations, these retirees have not only preserved institutional knowledge but have also played a pivotal role in guiding institutions towards innovation and sustainable growth.
Ali thanked Adeniyi for organising the reunion.
The former CG expressed gratitude to him for the support and advice accorded him during his tenure.
According to him, the support Adeniyi gave him accounted for his own modest success so far.
Ex-CG Benard Nwadialu attributed the welfare the retirees now enjoy as part of the measures Ali instituted.
Ex-CG Abubakar Musa pledged his willingness to advise NCS whenever the need arises.
