No discrimination in our recruitment criteria – NNPC | Nairalaw

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has clarified
that there was no discrimination in the various requirements in the
corporation’s recruitment process.

Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public
Affairs Division disclosed this on Monday in an interview with News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in a
statement on Sunday rejected the requirement for recruitment by the
NNPC alleging it was an anti-poor and anti-masses.

The association further gave the corporation a 72-hour ultimatum
to withdraw all alleged anti-poor and anti-masses conditions in the
criteria.

Also, an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, had
threatened to drag the management of the NNPC to court following
what he described as “discriminatory” recruitment process.

He vowed to approach the court to ensure protection of the
fundamental rights of Nigerians who were qualified to apply but
were barred from participating because of age criteria.

“No, there was no discrimination in the criteria, If there is
anything, the corporation is supposed to be commended now that it
is trying to recruit to reduce the unemployment in the country.

“Our criterion was based on carefully thought out criteria of
which we carried out a survey to arrive at all those criteria that
were stipulated,’’ he said.

According to him, the corporation over the years has sustained
the standard.

He added that the recruitment criteria were of four categories
which every interested Nigeria should explore.

“There are in many categories, there are four, if you didn’t
meet one category, you move to the next, if you didn’t meet the
second, you go to the third and so on.

“For the graduate trainee, we put age level at 28 years, the
second 34, the third 37 and the last 40. So, any Nigerian looking
for employment that falls within any of the four categories is
qualified,’’ he added.

He said that it was unfortunate that some people after
attempting and were not successful alleged discriminatory in its
selection process.

Commenting on the 72 hours ultimatum by NANS to reverse the
criteria or they would embark on a protest, he said that NANS
should focus on their studies to graduate first with good
certificates.

“NANS should pass their examination first and graduate after
which they will be qualified for employment.

“What NANS should face now is to study very hard and graduate
and make a reasonable degree. They have not graduated yet and they
are looking for employment,’’ he said.

The corporation opened a recruitment portal from March 13 to
March 26 and has started short listing of qualified candidates.
(NAN)

Minister Seeks Improved Allocations to Address
Environment Challenges

The Minister of Environment, Suleiman Hassan Zarma, has appealed
for improved budgetary allocation to the environmental sector, so
as to facilitate the execution of more intervention programs and
projects for diverse ecological habitats across the country.

He noted that additional budgetary funds will also enable the
ministry carry out some of its core mandate effectively, saying
“sufficient allocation of funds to the Ministry will help us raise
the level of environmental consciousness in the mind of Nigerians,
while implementing best global practices to address environmental
issues.”

The Minister made the call while defending the Ministry’s 2019
budget budget estimate before the House of Representatives
Committee on Environment and Habitat, in Abuja.
Zarma stressed that inadequate budgetary provision is hindering the
successful implementation of key projects and ecology-preservation
initiatives conceptualized by the Ministry.

He explained that the problems of desertification, erosion, and
pollution, among others, will continue to ravage Nigeria’s vast
environment if adequate funds are not provided to the Ministry and
its agencies.

Presenting the 2019 Budget estimate to the Committee, Suleiman
Zarma, explained that the environment pillar was hinged on three
basic policy objectives that include National Environment
Management, Pollution Control, Waste to Wealth, Industrial Oil
Management and Climate Change adaptation.

In this connection, he said, “the 2019 Budget Estimate that is
before the National Assembly consists of programmes and projects
that are in line with the ERGP goals. As a matter of fact, the
Ministry is among the six line Ministries, and its projects, which
are spread across the country, are critical to the life of the
citizenry.”

He added that the Ministry’s “2019 Budget of Economic Recovery
and Growth”, if properly funded and executed, will reposition the
environment, strengthen regulatory environment, create decent jobs
and livelihoods, increase forest cover, promote renewable energy
initiatives and The preparation and issuance of Green Bonds.

Zarma, also appealed to the Committee to passionately look at
the disturbing issue of inadequate office accommodation affecting
the workings of the ministry and its agencies, saying “almost all
of us are working in either borrowed or rented buildings”.

Responding, the House Committee on Environment’s Chairman, Hon.
Obinna Chidoka, supported the call for the Ministry to be given
better allocation in the 2019 budget.

”The envelope of the Ministry is too lean to enable it
meaningful impact on our environment that is highly ravaged and
devastated. We must look for ways to increase the funding of this
all important sector,” he emphasized.

Chidoka disclosed that some experts within the sector are doing
great works to address severe problems affecting the environment,
hence they should be supported and appreciated by both Government
and relevant stakeholders.

Earlier, the Heads of Agencies and Parastatals under the Federal
Ministry, while making their presentations bemoaned the lean
budgets they got in the past, soliciting the lawmakers’
intervention to remedy the ugly situation.

(Signed)
Saghir el Mohammed
Director Press
Federal Ministry of Environment