About 694 disengaged staff of Nigerian Mining Corporation, Jos have chided Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) over evacuation notice.
They begged Vice President Yemi Osinbajo come to their rescue and facilitate the payment of their withhold severance package amounting to N329.4 million.
The ex-staff alleged that the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) which took over the assets and facilities of the Nigerian Mining Corporation after its closure in 2005, is forcing them to vacate their houses before March, 2018.
The Nigerian Mining Corporation, Jos was closed down in October 2005 during the Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration when Obiageli Ezekwesili was the Minister of Solid Minerals.
Speaking on behalf of the disengaged staff in Jos, Barr. Adamu Ali claimed that after the closure of the corporation BPE took over its assets and facilities, but failed to accept the liability of the corporation.
"Federal Government is owing us severance package amounting to the tune of N329.4 million. And we should have used the money to pay for the houses sold to us by BPE," he said
He added that they were supposed to be paid the sum of N639.6 million on Monetized Scales Rate Policy, but were paid the sum N310.1 million on Harmonized Public Service Salary Structure (HAPSS), after the federal government gave the then ex-minister Ezekwesili mandate to pay them.
"We have been complaining since 2006, and even now we have written eight letters to Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Fayemi Kayode seeking audience on the issue, but there was no positive or favourable reaction to all the letters," he added.
He explained that about 60 occupants of the corporation’s staff houses were served with letters of offer of cancellation by the BPE.
"We occupy our houses at Nigerian Mining Corporation’s Hill Top Estate, Jos, Nigerian Mining Corporation’s Coca-Cola Estate Jos and Nigerian Mining Corporation’s Estate Dogon Dutse, Jos," he said.
He further said that the reason why they urged Osinbajo to facilitate the payment of their severance package was, he is the head of FG’s privatization team and their corporation was privatized after it was taken over by Bureau Public Enterprise (BPE).
