THE Federal Government has started shopping for a new Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) after turning down an application for the extension of service of the current helmsman of the agency.

Investigation revealed that Alhaji Hamman Bello Ahmed, the current Comptroller-General who will clock 60 years on 3rd January, 2009, has commenced a lobby to retain his position.

He was appointed to head the service about six months ago.

It was gathered that government may be in a quandary as to who should succeed Ahmed as nearly all capable hands have been retired from service or sent packing under one pretext or the other.

Although government did not give reason for refusing to consider Ahmed application for extension of service, sources close to the service said the entire management of the organisation was disenchanted with his conduct.

Customs sources also said government decision to do away with the current leadership of the service might not be unconnected with its inability to successfully implement the 48 hours cargo clearance policy and eliminate the high level of corruption in the agency.

One of Ahmed aides who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity said his appointment was based on merit, adding that if government was not satisfied with his performance, they know what to do. However, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, said he was not aware of the any move to change the leadership of the service, adding that as soon as there is any change in the Customs Vanguard would be the first to know.

Vanguard also gathered that Ahmed has never been a team player, and that it will be difficult for anybody like that to succeed at that level.

It was noted that the out-going head of Customs lacks administrative competence to run the service, as this is evident in the congestion currently being experienced at the ports in Lagos.

Extracts from the seniority list for officers on grade level 07 and above Customs, Immigration and Prisons Services showed that Ahmed was born on January 3, 1949 and joined the Customs Service on October 30, 1978, meaning that he will clock 60 years and spent 30 years.

Ahmed who said to be very vast and experienced in trade tariffs and its nomenclature is also a consultant to some maritime service providers was at sometime penciled down for retirement before his appointment came through.

Ahmed in an effort to sanitise the service created task forces at border posts across the country and put them under the Area Comptrollers.