Mal-administration: Reps Probe NEMA DG
…As Osinbajo orders negotiation with workers
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Following allegations of high-handedness, maladministration and corruption against the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engineer Mustapha Maihaja, the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency, Preparedness and Disaster Management is probing activities of the Agency’s boss.
This was conveyed in a letter addressed to Management and Staff Union of NEMA by the Clerk of the Committee, Sulyman Mohammed Sarkin-Noma that stated thus: “Sequel to the industrial action embarked upon by the staff, the Committee resolved to convey a meeting with the DG NEMA, Management team and the representative of the workforce on Monday October 23, 2017 at the National Assembly Complex.”
Similarly, the intervention of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last week is believed to have curtailed the indefinite nationwide strike action embarked upon by the NEMA staff and thereby prevented untold hardship to the already deplorable condition of inhabitants of IDP camps across the country.
Forefront News gathered that due to the recalcitrant and unyielding attitude of Engineer Maihaji, which gave the Federal Government negative image, the NEMA boss was compelled to negotiate and approve some of the workers’ demands at a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Labour.Â
It was gathered that the Office of the Vice President, which oversees the NEMA’s operations did not find the approach of Maihaji pleasant with regards to what was seen as the workers’ legitimate demands.
Accordingly, the NEMA boss was directed to enter into negotiations with the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) in conjunction with the Minister of Labour and Employment.
Also a competent source said this is the first time staff of NEMA, as an emergency and crisis management agency, would embark on an industrial action since its inception over a decade ago.
A memorandum of Terms of agreement at the end of the meeting was signed and endorsed by the NEMA Director General, Maihaja; Legal Adviser Umar Mohammed; Representative of ASCSN, Comrade Isaac Ojemhenke; and NEMA Labour Chairman, Comrade Saad Bello.
The parties agreed to set up an implementation committee comprising the Union, and NEMA management to be chaired by the Director of Finance at the Labour Ministry to facilitate the verification and documentation of staff claims by Tuesday, October 24, 2017.
It was also agreed that NEMA management should work with the union to conclude the process of acquiring the Assurance Policy for the staff within one week and come up with a compensation package for the families of deceased staff in line with the provisions of the public service rules.
It was equally agreed that a training schedule using the existing template be drawn to accommodate all staff and training needs of all departments within two weeks and report monitoring and compliance.
On the vindictive posting of the Unit Vice Chairman and Treasurer respectively, the DG was ordered to issue recall letters latest by October 20th, 2017 unfailingly, adding that no member of the Association shall be victimized as a result of the industrial action.
Other issues resolved at the meeting include hazard allowance, separation of women from their families, proper placement and promotion.Â