NLC, Steel Development Ministry set up 12-man committee to resolve unlawful sack of accountant

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Ministry of Steel Development have jointly constituted a 12-member committee to address and implement a judgment concerning the unlawful dismissal of Mr. Victor Ekpaha, an accountant formerly with the National Metallurgical Training Institute (NMTI), Onitsha.

This decision was reached following a conciliatory meeting held on Thursday in Abuja between the leadership of the NLC and officials of the Ministry of Steel Development. The resolution from the meeting was signed by Mr. Chris Isokpunwu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; Mr. John Madaki, Acting Director of Legal Services; Mr. Eche Asuzu, Acting Head of Industrial Relations at the NLC; and Mr. Stephen Knobayi, Chairman of the NLC, FCT Council.

Mr. Ekpaha, who was employed at NMTI—an agency under the ministry—was dismissed in 2005 under circumstances later deemed unlawful by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN). Since then, he has not received any severance payments or entitlements due to him.

The issue resurfaced prominently after the NLC staged a picket at the ministry’s premises to demand enforcement of the NICN’s judgment in Ekpaha’s favour.

To resolve the impasse, both parties agreed to establish a 12-man committee comprising representatives from the three stakeholders. According to the resolution: Five members will be nominated by the NLC, five by the Ministry of Steel Development, and two by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The committee will be co-chaired by one representative from the NLC and another from the ministry, ensuring equal oversight and coordination.

The NLC has been urged to urgently nominate its five members to enable the committee to commence work immediately. The resolution further states that the committee is expected to conclude its deliberations within 14 working days.

In return, the NLC is also expected to suspend the ongoing picketing of the Ministry’s premises pending the outcome of the committee’s findings.

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