NNPC, PPMC risk mass action over staff wrongful termination

A rights group, Civil Society Coalition for Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance (COTAGG) has threatened mass action against the Nigeria National Petroleum Company over alleged wrongful termination of appointment of one of its staff, Emmanuel Kantiok. The group also issued a 14-day ultimatum to offset Kantiok’s entitlements, following a petition he made against the termination […]

A rights group, Civil Society Coalition for Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance (COTAGG) has threatened mass action against the Nigeria National Petroleum Company over alleged wrongful termination of appointment of one of its staff, Emmanuel Kantiok.

The group also issued a 14-day ultimatum to offset Kantiok’s entitlements, following a petition he made against the termination of his appointment.

Kantiok, with identity  No 13594 said he was a staff of the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company Ltd, a subsidiary of NNPC, but his appointment was wrongfully terminated in 1994.

In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Michael Opia and Staff Attorney, Charles Nweke, COTAGG, expressed worry over the refusal of the NNPC to revisit Kantiok’s dismissal despite several efforts.

It maintained that its client had cleared from any wrong doings and resumed duties before his appointment was terminated.

 The group’s address read in part, “Consequent upon his termination as aforesaid, he along with others, wrote a letter dated 25/7/94 demanding a reconsideration of their termination but there was no reply.”

“In accordance with the relevant conditions of service, their client was entitled to be paid terminal benefits including gratuity, pension and any contribution he made to the provident fund scheme while in service, but has been denied all till date.

“Kantiok had joined NNPC from the Industries Corporation of Nigeria, where he had worked for 17 years before transferring his service for NNPC/PPMC from Oct. 6, 1987.

“Kantiok as at the time of his termination had served PPMC for seven years, during which period he was nominated in 1997 for NNPC long service award, which he was duly given and received the benefit attached.

“That his name appeared in NNPC staff list for long service award of 1997, when his appointment had already been terminated is another unexplained phenomenon surrounding his termination”.

The group stated that in accordance with section 15.2(c) of the condition of service “the proper thing to do if our client’s service was no longer required is to retire him and not termination.’’

“Given the fact that we have written all concern authorities in our letters dated March 31, 2017 of which we did not receive any reply.

“We have given the concern authorities 14 days with effect from this publication to invite our client for settlement via us,’’ it added.