* Doubts over their credentials
No fewer than 350 workers of the National Assembly are now
gripped by fears following moves by the authorities to disengage
them over alleged questionable documentation.
The authorities recently set up a panel to verify the documents
provided by the affected persons for employment and determine
whether they deserve to continue to be on the payroll of the
legislature.
The panel concluded its assignment last Thursday and its report
is now being expected.
The Nation gathered that the 350 workers were asked to appear
before the panel for the purpose of updating their
documentation.
The affected workers were identified following irregularities
discovered in their records by the Staff Audit Committee.
The exercise was initiated by the management on account of
bloated staff salary and mounting debt profile.
Sources said many of them may be sacked for allowing the issue
to drag on for long having first been warned to regularise their
documentation over five months ago.
“If this set of people are still having issues with their
documents after five months of this exercise, then something is
wrong somewhere,” a NASS source familiar with the matter said.
“This verification did not start yesterday, it started more than
three months ago. The exercise is in phases, we are currently in
the phase of table payment, having concluded the physical
appearance and document presentation.
“The first phase of the verification exercise turned up several
questions in which the appointment of a sizeable number of staff
turned out to be questionable.
“The table payment of salary that began in April is a huge step
in this effort because all of us have to collect our cheques
physically.”
The source said many of the affected people have been giving
different excuses for their inability to personally collect their
salary cheques, apparently to avoid detection.
“As we speak, we are getting all kinds of excuses on why many of
them could not turn up for their cheques since they can’t be
collected through proxy.
“Unfortunately for them, that excuse will not hold water because
documentary evidence is showing us that some were not properly
recruited, many were not qualified for the designations they are
claiming.
“Also, many have been discovered to have been redeployed
elsewhere but still our NASS payroll.
“Even some have gone on study leave and are still drawing salary
from NASS, while some that have concluded their study leave refused
to return to their beat but chose to remain abroad and collect
salary from NASS.
“These are the kind of people that are giving instructions to
proxies to collect their cheques on their behalf.
“We are aware of all these and I believe appropriate action will
be taken in that regard.”
For emphasis, the management through an internal memorandum
released a list of 350 workers that must appear before the P.A.
Giwa-led Staff Audit Committee with their appointments and other
documents.
A two-page internal memo with Ref. No: NASS/AUDIT COMM./2017/33
dated 28th August, 2017 signed by its Secretary, Christopher
Ashiekaa, directed the affected staff to appear before the
committee for update of their records.
It reads: “The National Assembly staff Audit Committee is in the
process of updating staff records.
“In this regard, the under listed staff are requested to kindly
report in House of Representatives Room 1, to update their
records.
“Please note that this process will be concluded on Thursday,
31st August, 2017”.
The names of the affected staff was pasted on the notice boards
across the National Assembly complex.
While it was not clear if all 350 workers turned up for the
exercise, the source however hinted that a sizeable number failed
to meet the deadline.
“We are still collating figures but I can tell you that a huge
number failed to turn up. The exercise has not ended yet, so let us
see how it goes,” the source added.
In addition, workers deployed to principal officers’ offices and
other legislators were also differently requested to appear before
the Audit Committee for reconciliation of their records.
In a separate memo, it was noted that the reconciliation became
necessary for documentation purposes, which may not be unconnected
with the discovery that many took personal decision to deploy
themselves to the offices of lawmaker of their choice without due
process.
The Committee said it has become expedient to ensure that these
staff are properly captured as bona fide staff of the National
Assembly.
While warning all concerned staff to report to the Committee
secretariat with all relevant documents for documentation, the
panel added that it would not be responsible for any staff whose
name is deleted from the nominal roll for failure to update his or
her record.
In another development, a renovation of the National Assembly
complex is ongoing, preparatory to the September 19 resumption date
of the lawmakers from their annual recess.
The multi-million naira renovation which is the first since the
exit of Julius Berger Plc in 2016, covers a facelift for the lobby
with a brand new ultra modern reception cubicle, painting, removal,
replacement and redesign of the ceiling and lighting system as well
as the cooling system along the corridors and offices in the White
House.
The renovation of the office of the Clerk of the National
Assembly had earlier been carried out, with the incumbent being the
first occupant.
The project that was undertaken by the Federal Capital Territory
Administration (FCTA) was initiated as a result of the gradual but
steady collapse of the infrastructure of the White House.
* Doubts over their credentials
No fewer than 350 workers of the National Assembly are now
gripped by fears following moves by the authorities to disengage
them over alleged questionable documentation.
The authorities recently set up a panel to verify the documents
provided by the affected persons for employment and determine
whether they deserve to continue to be on the payroll of the
legislature.
The panel concluded its assignment last Thursday and its report
is now being expected.
The Nation gathered that the 350 workers were asked to appear
before the panel for the purpose of updating their
documentation.
The affected workers were identified following irregularities
discovered in their records by the Staff Audit Committee.
The exercise was initiated by the management on account of
bloated staff salary and mounting debt profile.
Sources said many of them may be sacked for allowing the issue
to drag on for long having first been warned to regularise their
documentation over five months ago.
“If this set of people are still having issues with their
documents after five months of this exercise, then something is
wrong somewhere,” a NASS source familiar with the matter said.
“This verification did not start yesterday, it started more than
three months ago. The exercise is in phases, we are currently in
the phase of table payment, having concluded the physical
appearance and document presentation.
“The first phase of the verification exercise turned up several
questions in which the appointment of a sizeable number of staff
turned out to be questionable.
“The table payment of salary that began in April is a huge step
in this effort because all of us have to collect our cheques
physically.”
The source said many of the affected people have been giving
different excuses for their inability to personally collect their
salary cheques, apparently to avoid detection.
“As we speak, we are getting all kinds of excuses on why many of
them could not turn up for their cheques since they can’t be
collected through proxy.
“Unfortunately for them, that excuse will not hold water because
documentary evidence is showing us that some were not properly
recruited, many were not qualified for the designations they are
claiming.
“Also, many have been discovered to have been redeployed
elsewhere but still our NASS payroll.
“Even some have gone on study leave and are still drawing salary
from NASS, while some that have concluded their study leave refused
to return to their beat but chose to remain abroad and collect
salary from NASS.
“These are the kind of people that are giving instructions to
proxies to collect their cheques on their behalf.
“We are aware of all these and I believe appropriate action will
be taken in that regard.”
For emphasis, the management through an internal memorandum
released a list of 350 workers that must appear before the P.A.
Giwa-led Staff Audit Committee with their appointments and other
documents.
A two-page internal memo with Ref. No: NASS/AUDIT COMM./2017/33
dated 28th August, 2017 signed by its Secretary, Christopher
Ashiekaa, directed the affected staff to appear before the
committee for update of their records.
It reads: “The National Assembly staff Audit Committee is in the
process of updating staff records.
“In this regard, the under listed staff are requested to kindly
report in House of Representatives Room 1, to update their
records.
“Please note that this process will be concluded on Thursday,
31st August, 2017”.
The names of the affected staff was pasted on the notice boards
across the National Assembly complex.
While it was not clear if all 350 workers turned up for the
exercise, the source however hinted that a sizeable number failed
to meet the deadline.
“We are still collating figures but I can tell you that a huge
number failed to turn up. The exercise has not ended yet, so let us
see how it goes,” the source added.
In addition, workers deployed to principal officers’ offices and
other legislators were also differently requested to appear before
the Audit Committee for reconciliation of their records.
In a separate memo, it was noted that the reconciliation became
necessary for documentation purposes, which may not be unconnected
with the discovery that many took personal decision to deploy
themselves to the offices of lawmaker of their choice without due
process.
The Committee said it has become expedient to ensure that these
staff are properly captured as bona fide staff of the National
Assembly.
While warning all concerned staff to report to the Committee
secretariat with all relevant documents for documentation, the
panel added that it would not be responsible for any staff whose
name is deleted from the nominal roll for failure to update his or
her record.
In another development, a renovation of the National Assembly
complex is ongoing, preparatory to the September 19 resumption date
of the lawmakers from their annual recess.
The multi-million naira renovation which is the first since the
exit of Julius Berger Plc in 2016, covers a facelift for the lobby
with a brand new ultra modern reception cubicle, painting, removal,
replacement and redesign of the ceiling and lighting system as well
as the cooling system along the corridors and offices in the White
House.
The renovation of the office of the Clerk of the National
Assembly had earlier been carried out, with the incumbent being the
first occupant.
The project that was undertaken by the Federal Capital Territory
Administration (FCTA) was initiated as a result of the gradual but
steady collapse of the infrastructure of the White House.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/sack-fever-grips-350-national-assembly-workers/