Purported sack of 4 directors: Reps summon Artistic Director

The House of Representatives Committee on Culture and Tourism on Tuesday ‎directed the Artistic  Director of the National Theatre and National Troupe, Comrade. Tar Ujkoh  over the unlawful  sack of four substantive directors from the Agency without following due process,

‎The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Omorege. Ogbeide-Ihama who handed down the order yesterday during the public hearing organized by the Committee to resolve the crisis but which the Director failed to honour the invitation extended to him gave Ukoh Wednesday. 7th of March to appear before it over the matter failure which a bench warrant of arrest would be issued against him.

He lamented the absence of the Director for treating the invitation extended to him by the parliament with impunity, saying such attitude would no longer be tolerated and directed the Clerk of the Committee to communicate the Director on the decision of the Committee.

The Committee members who spoke at the sitting were not happy with the absence of the director, appealed to the purported four directors, who petitioned the lawmakers that they should wait to hear his side of the issue and assured them of getting to the root of the matter.

ALSO READ: Pay workers’ salaries to help them repay bank loans, NDIC tells state governments

They Stated that the director should be given a fair hearing, as it would not be fair to draw the conclusion based on the submission of the four directors.

In his ruling before adjourning the meeting to 7th of March, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, said, “the Artistic Director is not around and let us give him the benefit of the doubt and let us write him another letter and probably give him another one week.”

“National issues will not be taken for granted. Another letter should be written to him to appear before the committee on Wednesday, 7th March, and when he fails, the lawmakers will take necessary action against him.”

The Chairman, however, urged  the petitioners to provide more copies of the petitions so that members can go through them.