Labour union accuses embattled Permanent Secretary of high-handedness

The Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the embattled Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Lamuwa, of high-handedness and maladministration.

The labour union alleged that Lamuwa was involved in financial improprieties and at several times displayed favouritism, which significantly affected the welfare and rights of workers.

In a petition dated June 11, 2024, and addressed to the Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, the JNC said Lamuwa relegated issues concerning staff well-being, allowances, emoluments and training.

The union listed the benefits that workers have been denied and accused the senior government official of favouring a certain category of people while abandoning and victimising others.

The JNC lamented the delay in promotion and conversion of staff, lack of transparency in postings, delay in payment of clothing allowance, discrimination in First 28 days allowance payment, lack of fairness in the distribution of 2024 Hajj seats.

Others are inadequate posting of Batch B officers to foreign missions, poor sanitation and hygiene due to insufficient water supply, lack of work tools, dilapidated office buildings and refusal to pay the 25th Regular Course allowance for nine months.

The petition obtained by PRNigeria – signed by JNC Chairman, Comrade Ali Seidu and Assistant General Secretary, Comrade S. E. Akpana – urged the Minister to look into their grievances and ensure justice is done.

It reads in part: “Consequent upon the maladministration and dwindling level of productivity occasioned by administrative leadership apathy in the Ministry, the JNC has been engaging with the management thinking its solidarity will yield positive results and prompt action on pending issues.

“Unfortunately, there was no improvement. Instead, the management has become worse, unreceptive, and very harsh to everyone who dares to speak and ask questions. Victimisation, intimidation, and harassment have become tools the management use to shut critics while the staff continue to suffer.

“The staff of the Ministry are outraged by the egregious neglect, surreptitious administrative skullduggery, manipulations and commercialisation of the Ministry’s activities by the Permanent Secretary and his allies under the guise of rejuvenation.

“They have introduced harmful practices that threaten the fabric of our institution. We demand an immediate end to their destructive policies and a return to the principles of fairness, equity, and transparency. We call on the Minister to direct the authorities to investigate these grievances and take a swift action.

“We the staff hereby give a 21-day ultimatum to the management to immediately address the grievances outlined in our communiqué. Failure to do so will be met with strong resistance,” the union leaders warned.

The Permanent Secretary is facing allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by Mrs. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, an aide to the Foreign Affairs Minister.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan has set up a panel to investigate the accusations and suspended Mr. Lamuwa pending the outcome of the probe.