There were rumours last week that the management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has concluded plans to lay-off some categories of employees, but spokesperson for the agency, Hajia Lami Tumaka quickly dispelled the insinuation that it was a total lie.
Prior to late last week when the rumour broke out, there had been anxiety over the sack of some top officials; especially those who had stayed on a level for more than eight years. In this category are some directors.
There were rumours last week that the management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has concluded plans to lay-off some categories of employees, but spokesperson for the agency, Hajia Lami Tumaka quickly dispelled the insinuation that it was a total lie.
Prior to late last week when the rumour broke out, there had been anxiety over the sack of some top officials; especially those who had stayed on a level for more than eight years. In this category are some directors.
The fear of imminent across-the board sack was made more rive following the board meeting which also held on Thursday, March 24 at the agency’s corporate head office on Burma Road in Apapa.
Sources in the agency said that apart from the top management staff, those to be affected are those considered redundant as well as those already due for retirement.
According to the sources, a breakdown of those to be affected in the exercise revealed that it includes: 40 junior staff, 35 middle- level staff, 20 senior staff and some directors.
But, the deputy director, public relations, in NIMASA Hajia Tumaka told our correspondent that “it is not true, I don’t know where that rumour is emanating from”, even as she disclosed that retrenchment is the last thing that the management will toy with at this time.
“Rather than retrenchment, there is an on-going promotion exercise involving officials on level three to 13, so the staff are quite excited about the promotion, because we have not had promotions for quite a while”.
“I don’t think what we will like to do at this time is to destabilise ourselves with a downsizing”, she explained even as she confirmed that the board led by its chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu actually met, but she stressed that the outcome was yet to be made known to her.
NIMASA has had its unfair share of instabilities in management since it was created in 2007 following the merger of National Maritime Authourity (NMA|0 with Joint maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC).
It’s pioneer director general, Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro was removed unceremoniously after spending only about six months. She was succeeded by one of her executive directors, Dr Ade Dosunmu in circumstances akin to a palace coup. Dosunmu was succeeded by Mr Temisan Omatseye who also left unceremoniously after he was accused by the agency’s board of alleged contract splinting and unapproved funds transfer and other sundry issues. He is still standing trial at a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The incumbent boss of the agency, Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi was appointed last December amidst stiff opposition from stakeholders who alleged violation of NIMASA Act in the appointment. Specifically, they have pointed at his non-possession of requisite educational and professional qualifications for the high profile office of NIMASA director general.
Even though he has refused to make his curriculum vitae public, he has been discovered to possess only a Masters Degree in Business Administration and no relevant professional qualification.
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