Angry workers of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) have shut down the activities of the commission, protesting alleged poor staff welfare and institutional failures.
The commission is responsible for investment promotion from foreigners and and domestic investors.
Head of the workers’ union, Comrade Yusuf Mustapha, wants the commission’s executive secretary, Ms Yewande Sadiku, to be sacked to save the place.
However, a source who claims to be knowledgeable, but wants anonymity because he is not authorised to speak said on Thursday evening: “Their problem is that she is from the private sector and insists on the right things been done, that is why she is drawing the ire of forces at play there.
“You know she has been dragged to all the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria and she came out clean. Go to ICPC, EFCC, Public Complaints Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, and find out the result of all their investigations.”
However in an official statement, the Management expressed concern at the unexpected industrial action insisting it has always made staff welfare and development a priority, adding that major welfare improvements were initiated by Management without being prompted, to stimulate productivity and ensure staff job satisfaction.
“The improvements include the introduction of a Productivity Allowance that rewards staff when budget targets are met, a Post Service Benefit Scheme to provide for those who retire or leave after many years of service, a Staff Housing Loan Scheme that can help with home ownership, a Group Life Insurance Policy that will support families of any staff we lose, and many others. These improvements are in addition to the regular payment of staff salaries by the Federal Government.”
But Mustapha thinks otherwise. He said, “Every civil attempt on our part has been met with a lack of decorum, dishonesty, and total disregard on the part of the executive secretary and her team.
“It is on record avenues of civil negotiations and reconciliations have been exhausted by the Union Executive.
“The NIPC, in its 20 years of existence, has never been so broken, demoralised and polarised.”
But Management said the evidence of its commitment is an increase in the expenditure on staff welfare from N28.46m (5.91% of IGR) in 2016 to N500m (45.45% of IGR) in 2020.
It adds, “Despite the disruptions to work schedules due to COVID-19 and only a partial resumption of work by all government agencies from May, Management has been faithfully implementing the terms of an Agreement reached with the Union in late February.
“The approval of the NIPC Governing Council was secured on 24 June for the final items. As required by government policies for allowances created by the Governing Council, final clearance from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is being vigorously pursued.
“It is important to note that a member of the Governing Council obtained an exparte Order on 19 December 2019, stopping the Commission from spending its IGR, which is the source of funding for most of its activities. While the Order lasted, NIPC was unable to pay for all the welfare items which are funded from IGR. It was disconnected for non-payment of electricity bills and was unable to pay for diesel to power generators and to pay the salaries of outsourced service providers (security guards, cleaners, gardeners and others).
“Management reaffirms its commitment to building a Commission that is motivated to achieving the goals and objectives of its establishment. We will continue to dialogue with the Union to resolve their concerns.
“Management has been working on embedding a culture of full compliance with all obligations and is proud that NIPC was ranked the 2nd best of the 191 MDAs that were assessed for the 2019 National FOI Compliance & Transparency Ranking, up from 90th out of 131 agencies in 2016.”