Unions demand stoppage of payment for controversial ITF contracts

Senior and junior workers’ unions at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) have asked the management not to approve payments for controversial contracts awarded by the former Director General, Mrs. Juliet Chukka-Onaeko, who was removed last week by the federal government.
The Senior Staff  Association of Communications, Transportation and Corporations (SSACTC) as well as the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Technical and Recreation Employees (AUPCTRE) have in a joint letter to the acting DG of the fund insisted that their demand are part of the needed efforts to salvage the organisation from collapse.
The ITF has been enmeshed in allegations of sharp practices, including inflation of contract rates and other infractions in procurement, a development which had attracted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for several visits during the last quarter of 2015. No fewer than eight directors at the fund, in company of the former DG were invited by the anti-graft agency, in the investigation which also seized files and other important documents relating to the allegations, much of which were made by the two unions.
In the letter signed by Comrades Kayode Alakija, and Ishaya Audu of the SSACTC and AUPCTRE respectively, the unions insisted the continuation of payment for on-going projects at the fund may perpetuate corruption there.