From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The Federal Government has ordered for immediate abolition of the dichotomy between holders of University degrees and Higher National Diploma (HND) in all the Services under the Ministry of Interior.

Rising from a meeting held on Tuesday, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (retrd), Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Board (CDFIPB) was directed to ensure that all officers with HND are upgraded to COMPASS 08, which is the salary Grade Level for holders of Degree certificates at entry point.

In a release signed by the Permanent Secretary, Engr Abubakar G. Magaji, the minister said: “The board approved the regularisation of the dichotomy between holders of University degrees and Higher National Diploma (HND) in all the Services.

“To this end, the board directed that all officers with HND be upgraded to COMPASS 08, which is the salary Grade Level for holders of Degree certificates at entry point.

“While the nomenclature for the HND holders will start with the Rank of Senior Inspector, the Degree holders are with the rank of Assistant Superintendent II.

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The board also approved the commencement of the Year 2017 Promotion Exercise for all the Services with effect from July 17, 2017.

“In order to boost internal security mechanism, the board, accordingly, approved the establishment of the Institute of Domestic Security aimed at strengthening Inter-Agency cooperation, among other functions,” the statement noted.

In another development, the federal government has equally approved the re-organisation of the Nigeria Immigration Service in line with the provision of Immigration Act, which stipulates the establishment of Directorate of Immigration.

The Directorates, each to be headed by Deputy Comptroller-General, are as follows: Human Resources Management; Finance and Accounts; Planning, Research and Statistics; Passport and Other Travel Document; Investigation and Compliance; Border Management; Migration and Visa and Residency

“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari places high premium on the welfare of its workforce and hopes that officers and men in the Services will reciprocate this gesture through improved performance and dedication to duty, in line with the Executive order on the Ease of Doing Business, so as to revamp the economy,” the minister stated.