NICO IN SHAMBLES

National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) which has its head office situated at23 Kigoma street Abuja may be reeling under monumental fraud if indications coming out of the office are anything to go by. It was gathered that; the union over the past few months have been engaging the management in a fierce battle on a number of fraud and corrupt practices going on under the administration of Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma.

Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma who assumed leadership of the institute since November 2009 is being alleged of his refusal of paying promotion arrears from 2013 to date, which Budget office of the federation has since released.
Aside being accused of refusing staff of their due entitlements as regards promotion arrears; he is alleged to have refused the institute join IPPIS since two years ago which the staff have completed their online registration. It was only May this year after realizing the implication if President M. Buhari is sworn in that he only allowed the capturing to be done, but till date; the institute has still not been integrated into the payment scheme. The reasons for this refusal cannot be far-fetched according to inside source; as the management is using delay tactics to cover up ghost workers on Institutes pay roll among some other irregularities on staff’s salary.

Among many other allegations by the union include improper placement and promotions in which the current Director of finance and account of the institute and Special Adviser to the Executive Secretary are beneficiaries. Director of finance and account since 2010 was promoted from Chief Account officer to Director (GL14 to GL17), while SA to ES/CEO was employed as contract staff in 2010 as lecturer in the institute on GL12, but now a permanent staff as Assistant Director (GL15) within four years which is against the Public Service Rules. Also, Mr Godson Ordu triples as the director of finance and account, accountant, and chairman of the office cooperative, a position he has been with the support of ES/CEO without any annual general meeting or accountability. These can only be possible in NICO.
Another source also revealed that staff is being sent to one year training programme in institute training school with only seventy thousand naira (₦70,000.00).

These allegations among many others make one to wonder when the level of corruption and nepotism in this country will be reduced if not totally eradicated especially by public office holders. The union have threatened to embark on industrial action after duly negotiating and consulting with stake holders, and have even signed memorandum of understanding with the management. It was gathered that the management could not meet up with the agreement in the MOU.

It is about time the president of the federal republic of Nigeria use his good office to clean up the mess in the institute.

Barr. Austin Bruhaha

ftc





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