AUPCTRE calls for reversal of appointment of non-professionals in NIMET

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) has called on the Federal Government to immediate reverse the recent appointment of non-professionals into key technical and scientific Directorate Positions in Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

The union advised that the appointment should be nullified because of its peculiarity and technicalities of the science of meteorology.

Besides, it warned that the appointment of “non-professionals and novices” into such key technical and scientific directorate positions in an organisation like NIMET portends serious danger in terms of weather forecast.

The General Secretary,  AUPCTRE, Comrade Yusuf Lekke Zambuk, said after an emergency meeting of the union on the issue of the appointment, that the appointment made by the Minister of State for Aviation, would hinder productivity, professionalism and also demoralise eligible career professionals for their rightful positions within the agency.

Comrade Zambuk said in a statement: “The union expressed displeasure over the non-appointment of career professionals into key technical and scientific directorate positions in the agency.

“The union, however, calls on the Federal Government as a matter of urgency, to reverse the appointment made by the Minister of State for Aviation due to the peculiarity and technicalities of the science of meteorology.”

The positions, according to the union include: Directorate of Weather Forecasting Services; Directorate of Applied Meteorological Services; Directorate of Research and Training; and Directorate of Engineering and Technical services.

He added: “The union is of the opinion that the appointed directors into the long vacant positions are novices to the system and therefore insist that the Minister of State for Aviation look into the issue and reverse the positions to eligible professionals within the system, especially the professional cadre.”

He noted that series of letters were written to the Office of the Acting President of the Federation at that time, the Minister of State for Aviation, and the Minister of Labour and Employment on the matter, but regretted that no acknowledgment  or response has been received.

‘‘We therefore demand an immediate reversal on this appointments because as a union, we cannot fold our hands and watch strange individuals be imposed on our members.”

“The union finally calls on government to respect the union’s clearly stated positions, as failure to do so, may lead to non-sustainability of existing industrial harmony in the Agency,” he added.