Lagos — Federal Government yesterday approved the restructuring of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), even as it sacked eight top officials of the service.

Axed were two Deputy Comptroller Generals (DCG's), Bassey Etta and A. K Haliru while six Assistant Comptroller Generals (ACG's) were also affected. They were F. E. Umoh, S. N. Abubakar, A. F Fadahunsi, B. L. Kpagih, B. G Ali and A. O. Amasa. Similarly, with the new restructuring announced by government, the Service would now have four departments which are Corporate Support Service, Strategic Research and Policy, Tarrif and Trade, Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection.

Accordingly, the Federal Government has approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptrollers General [DCGs] to head the new Departments and constitute the New Management of the Service. They are Rabiu Adamu, Ezekiel Okeniyi, Dr. Bennard-Shaw Nwadialo and Rhoda Akoh (Mrs). Under the new management structure, the Service would now have 13 Assistant Comptroller Generals (ACGs). They are D. I. Abdullahi, A. J Atte, Gotip. G. E, Gwary D. B, Ofem E.O, Adegoke M. I, and Saka Y. A. Others are Othman M.T, Argungu S. N, Iheanacho N. O and Ayanlaja N. O. Meanwhile, Federal Government has approved the restructuring of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) into four departments. Mr. Wale Adeniyi, the NCS spokesman said the new departments included Corporate Support Services and Strategic Research and Policy. "The remaining are those of Tariff and Trade as well as that of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection. "The restructuring follows the acceptance of a recommendation of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Strategic Plan.

"The plan was to review the structure put in place through a Presidential Committee in 2004," the statement said. It said the Federal Government had also approved the retirement of two Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) and six Assistant Comptrollers-General (ACGs). Those retired included DCGs Bassey Etta and Abba Haliru while the ACGs involved were Sani Abubakar, Ade Fadahunsi, Baritor Kpagih, Babagana Ali, Ade Amasa and F.E. Umoh

"Their retirement is sequel to the restructuring of the Service and re-constitution of the new Customs Management Team," the statement said.