THE Joint Action Union Committee of the National Population Commission,(NpopC) has indicted the Chairman Eze Duruiheoma in the corruption scandal rocking the commission.
It also called for a massive investigation into the commission’s funding.
The staff of the commission across the country had embarked on an indefinite striation, following the reappointment of the Director General(DG), Ghaji Bello by the Federal Government(FG).
Bello, who is supposed to be serving his second term in the commission, was outrightly rejected an on an allegation of gross misconduct.
These include; total disregard for staff welfare, disregard to procurement procedure, the deliberate staggering of the EAD, arrogance and highhandedness, among others.
As a result, the union had called for the DG’s resignation stating that his reappointment was rather “insensitive and selfish”.
However, in a communique issued on Wednesday, which was jointly signed by representatives from Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU), Comrade Agaba Rita, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services (AUPCCSTRS), Aminu Abashiya, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria Ibrahim Saleh, Nigerian Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial Data Processing and Allied Workers (NUPSRSDPAW) Ogunyemi Funke, at the end of a staff congress held at the commission’s headquaters in Abuja, the Union disclosed that the Chairman had begged for suspension of the demand for the removal of the DG despite the various allegation of misdeeds against him.
It said that the Chairman’s position on the crisis was rather insensitive, stating that; “…staff is not unaware of the reasons for the position of the Chairman who is afraid that Ghaji Bello would expose his illicit financial dealings which copious documents have been obtained and would be forwarded to appropriate quarters.
“ the staff can no longer keep quiet in the face of brazen theft and corruption that has characterised the present commission in the last four years,” the communique partly reads.
It maintained that the commission, which aspired to become the population centre of excellence and most responsive public institution in Nigeria has lost her pride of place among institutions of similar standing due to its leadership.
“Staff is ashamed of being associated with this decline and delay,” it reads.
The Congress also threw its weight behind the vote of no confidence passed by the management staff on the former DG, Chairman and Commissioners, who according to them, have not demonstrated enough sense of responsibility to duty.
It further urged staff of the commission to continue the “Work and Rule” action until all demands are fully met.
“Staff are aware that government activities in the commission has been at a standstill since the reappointment of Dr. Ghaji Bello was announced.
“In other to allow government activities to continue without any further hindrance, government should consider, as a matter of urgency, the appointment of an Ag. DG pending the resolution of all issues in dispute,” the communique reads.
and then