Following media reports that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had relieved as many as 200 persons – mostly of South East and South South extraction – of their jobs, the mamagement has come out to state that only 3 persons were sacked .
Speaking via a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2015 by its Head of Public Relations, Hajia Lami Tumaka, NIMASA said the trio were sacked due to irregularities pertaining to their employment.
It is worthy to note that although NIMASA claims that only three people were sacked, their names were not included in Tumaka’s press release.
See a full text of the press release below:
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has disengaged three persons who were found to have been illegally employed into the Agency for irregularities associated with their engagement.
An administrative investigation conducted by the Agency revealed that the employment of the three officers at the twilight of the administration of Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi as Director General did not follow due process required for employment into the civil service.
Contrary to speculation in some sections of the media that NIMASA has disengaged 200 staff in its employ, only these three persons whose engagement had wholesome irregularities have been asked to leave.
Like every Federal Government agency, the Federal Civil Service rules govern engagement and disengagement of officers in NIMASA.
Media organisations would therefore do well to contact the Agency for clarification on these issues, or at least conduct preliminary investigations in order not mislead unsuspecting members of the public and spread disaffection.
