NMDC staff protest over alleged misappropriation, abuse of office
Staff of National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) have shut down the headquarters of the agency, accusing their management of misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, gross violation of public service rules, procurement act and financial regulations. The staff, under the leadership of their unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes (ASURI), Non-Academic Staff […]
Staff of National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) have shut down the headquarters of the agency, accusing their management of misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, gross violation of public service rules, procurement act and financial regulations.
The staff, under the leadership of their unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes (ASURI), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Installations (SSAUTHRIAI), also accused the Director General of the agency of poor welfare and working conditions, intimidation, among others.
The staff, who protested at the agency’s headquarters in Jos on Wednesday, raised placards bearing different inscriptions such as ‘Asuquo must go’, ‘stop victimisation in NMDC’, ‘NMDC needs change of leadership’, among others.
The spokesperson of the organisation told Daily Trust that anti-graft agencies were already investigating the allegations.
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Speaking to journalists during the protest, Mr. Henry Mwanle, chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes (ASURI), said, “Our action is a dissatisfaction and displeasure that the staff have over mismanagement by the present management in the centre.
“We are not happy about the degeneration of the centre. We are not happy with the welfare of the staff. We are not happy over gross misappropriation of funds and corruption.”
The protesting staff vowed to continue the protest until accountability is restored in the centre.
When contacted regarding the allegations, the Director General of the agency, Linus Ikon Asuquo, neither answered our correspondent’s call nor responded to his SMS.
However, the spokesperson of the organisation, Sunny Eweama, acknowledged the allegations raised against the DG and said an investigation into the matter has since begun.
He said, “The allegation has been lingering for quite some time. As I speak to you, EFCC, ICPC, Ministry of Steel Development and National Assembly are all on this matter.
“Ordinarily, when these anti-graft agencies are investigating alleged corruption and embezzlement, I think it is better to allow them to complete their investigation. Let us allow them to finish and come out with their report.“
The NMDC spokesperson added that “the current agitation and protest by staff of the organisation is primarily due to the removal of an unapproved allowance in November 2024 by the Salary and Wages Commission through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development, which the centre used to receive.“