Transparency Centre Network, a notable human rights group based in Abuja, has called for urgent review of alleged corruption, irregularities and reckless abuse of due process in the recent promotions conducted by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, (NUPRC).
The human rights group claimed that there were consistent and blatant violations of the Federal Character principles and the arbitrary abuse of due process in employment, promotions and thr refusal to follow approved civil service rules by the current management of the agency.
In a petition signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Bassey Newgent Ekamon (JP) and dispatched to the National Assembly, the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Federal Character Commission and the Head of Service of the Federation, the group alleged among others that cases of executive recklessness has reached unprecedented heights in recent times in the Commission with only one ethnic group dominating the agency at the detriment of others.
“The commision’s recent employment and promotions exercises were concluded in clear violation of the Federal Character Principles as enshrined in Sections 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Certain geo-graphical zones and ethnic groups were disproportionately favoured while others were deliberately marginalised. This practice threatens national cohesion and fairness in public service administration.
“Also, there are glaring reports of arbitrary promotions and the backdating of appointments, often executed in disregard of laid down civil service rules. Staff promotions have been manipulated to favour cronies and relàtions of top management officials at the expense of other hardworking officers. Several senior promotions have been awarded without adherence to merit, qualifications or competitive procedures,” the petition alleged.
On allegations of corruption and financial impropriety, the group claimed that the current management of the agency engaged in high scale contract inflation, financial mismanagement and other unethical practices in recruitment, procurement and licensing regime, pointing out that “these corrupt tendencies are fast eroding institutional credibility and sabotaging government’s anti-corruption posture.”
While also alleging that top government officials engage in employment racketeering, the group called for thorough and comprehensive investigation into the employment deals, promotion manipulation and financial misconducts allegedly perpetrated by the management of the agency since the past three years.
It also called for proper sanctions and the prosecution of individuals found culpable in the alleged reckless abuse of positions and the extant provisions of the Federal Character Principle as well as compel the agency to henceforth adhere strictly to public service rules.
Concluding, the group said that it is imperative that concrete actions should be taken to restore sanity, equity and professionalism within the Commission to serve as a morale booster to staff adding that continued silence and inaction on the issues will threaten not only the integrity of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, (NUPRC), but will also erode public confidence in the nation’s civil service architecture.
Beautiful!!!
While warning that millions of concerned Nigerians will take to the streets and picket the gates of the agency for nationwide demonstration, if the management fails to accept the review of appointments, promotions and improve on internal management structures, the group said that its resolve and capacity for mobilization and mass action should not be underrated as it has already concluded relevant necessary arrangements to carry out peaceful mass protest against the management of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, (NUPRC) within seven working days should all relevant authorities refuse to urgently address the alleged gross abuse of office and anti-establishment practices by the NUPRC management.
