Committee submits report on recruitment at NIMASA

The ministerial committee investigating the alleged illegal recruitment at the nation’s apex maritime regulatory agency, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has concluded its work and report now ready at the ministry of transport.

Sources said the committee submitted its report and recommendations to the ministry over four weeks ago, but the report is yet to be made public.

The committee was expected to determine whether employments, placements and promotion in NIMASA from 2008 to date conformed to the civil service procedures, rules and also in line with the federal character principle.

It was gathered that the Director representing the ministry on the agency’s board had written to the Ministry bringing to its attention the flagrant disregard for due process in employment, placement and promotion as well as the federal character principle in the agency, necessitating the setting up of this committee.

Some staff of the agency also wrote a petition to the ministry of transport under aegis of “Concerned Staff of Nimasa” alleging lack of due process by the agency’s management in the employment and placement of officers.
Meanwhile, another source alleged attempt to truncate the investigation and implementation of the committee report as some individuals have petitioned the senate to challenge the constitution of the ministerial committee that investigated the alleged illegal recruitment.

However, the petitioners, whose name were not disclosed were said to have expressed the fears that the excercise was meant to demote professionals, engaged by the administration of Patrick Akpobolokemi.
Consequent upon their petition, the ethic, priviledge and public petition of committee of the senate had summoned the permanent secretary of the ministry of transportation over the matter.