Allegations Of Lop-sidedness, Favouritism Trail Promotions At PTDF

…As staff calls for urgent government intervention

Following concerns and complaints by staff members over alleged irregularities in the conduct and outcome of promotions, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has come under intense scrutiny.

This was as it was gathered that the Fund which is tasked with the training of personnel for the Oil and Gas sector, has created and raised the suspicion of a lot of Staff members to the unhealthy practices in the handling of staff promotion making it looks as if the PTDF is a regional agency for specific people.

For instance, during the tenure of the former Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Alhaji Bello Gusau, it was gathered that 24 staff of the Fund were sent on a training under the “Chief Officers’ Course”, which was followed by a qualifying examination to enable the selected staff move to the position of Deputy Manager.

As it was the practice, the Fund kept the 24 qualified officers in a choice hotel in Utako for about nine weeks. However, on completion of their training and examination exercise, the Gusau-led management of the PTDF later decided to chose ten out of the batch without defined criteria for promotion as it merely cited “insufficient space” to accommodate all the officers that were due for promotion.

The unpopular decision was met with significant internal protests and rancour, particularly against the backdrop of the fact that the same management had earlier declared 14 managerial positions vacant.

A source close to the PTDF management said; “It was obvious that the former ES, Alhaji Gusau organized the course as a cover up since he already had a predetermined list of those he wanted promoted and those to be discarded under the excuse of insufficient space”.

This sentiment was further echoed by other staff members who felt that the process was seriously flawed when viewed against the double promotions that were granted to some management staff within a year which prompted the PENGASSAN, PTDF branch to raise issues and mounted pressure that eventually resulted in the promotions for junior staff but which was again shrouded in unofficial considerations that included; favouritism, ethnicism, and religious discrimination.

However, on assumption of the present Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Alhaji Galadima, who took over from Alhaji Gusau, there were expectations that the issues surrounding the questionable promotions would be addressed.

Findings however indicated that rather than address the imbalance and dominance by a particular region, Alhaji Galadima has instead concluded plan for the promotions of some top management staff, predominantly from one region of the country without regard for Federal Character in addition to granting some staff double promotions while at the same time claiming that there are no vacancies.

Checks by Forefront News indicated that the lack of a Board of Directors thereby concentrating powers in the hands of the Executive Secretary to determine the promotion of other management positions and other matters without checks and balances.

A dependable source at the Fund told our correspondent that the absence of a Board of Directors has allowed the Executive Secretary to wield enormous and unchecked power thereby deciding and influencing promotions and other crucial decisions.

The source particularly raised eyebrow why promotion at the PTDF should only and always have vacancies for only staff from a particular region of the country while other staff members from other geo-political zones are relegated in spite of qualifications, years of service and experience. According to the source; “It is not difficult to determine that a particular region is monopolising the top positions and only rotate power among themselves thereby, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion and marginalization.

“These practices have led to a significant decline in staff morale. Employees lament that merit and diligence are reportedly overlooked in favour of ethnic and religious affiliations. Merit and diligence have taken a backseat for ethnic and religious favouritism. It is demoralizing and undermines the integrity of our organization,” the source said.

Further checks indicate that most of the staff members are desirous of a comprehensive reform at the PTDF to bring about fairness, transparency, and accountability in its operations as well as urgent government intervention to correct the imbalances in order to restore confidence in the promotion process in the PTDF.