Senators condemn illegal retrenchment in MDAs

The Senate yesterday passed a resolution condemning what it called spate of illegal retrenchment in federal Ministries, Department and Agencies(MDAs).

Adopting the report of its committee on Ethics and Public Petitions in respect of such illegal retrenchment, the upper chamber noted that it was unfortunate that at a time the unemployment rate was increasing at an alarming rate, some agencies had embarked on such retrenchment of workers.

Specifically, the Senate ordered the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to reinstate its General Manager (Audit and Compliance), Mrs. Maryam Danna Mohammed earlier disengaged on June 10, 2016 by the company.

Rebuking the NDPHC for wrongful termination of appointment, the Senate also directed NDPHC to pay all her entitlements

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sam Anyawu, who read the report observed that prior to her disengagement, there was no meeting presided over by the Chairman of the Board, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo or any other member of the board of the NDPHC where the decision to disengage her was taken.

‘’That the disengagement of the officer along with the executive management and executive directors of NDPHC was out of order because due process in accordance with terms and conditions of the employment and disengagement of officers in the company was not followed.

‘’That the senate hereby mandate the NDPHC to reinstate Mrs. Maryam Danna Mohammed and pay all her entitlements because her disengagement did not follow due process’’, Senator Anyawu stated.

Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai (Borno central, APC) had come under Order 41 on the floor of the senate on November 23, 2017 to draw the attention of his colleagues to a petition from his constituent, Mrs. Mohammed against NDPHC for wrongful termination of her appointment.