You can’t suspend us, NSITF MD, others tell Ngige

The management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF has disputed allegations that it had been sacked and replaced by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

The NSITF Management led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive, Adebayo Somefun, said the Minister lack the powers to sack the leadership of any parastatal.

• CDS visits Plateau warring villages to encourage peace
• Flights resumption: No more VIP consideration at airports, says Sirika

In a statement made available to journalists, the management argued that the alleged suspension order did not proceed from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Part of the statement reads: “The Management of NSITF read the press release published by some media outfits that the President has suspended the management of NSITF and announced same.

“We wish to state that President Muhammadu Buhari has not suspended the management of NSITF and did not make such announcement.

“The person mentioned in the media report is not a staff of the President.

“For clarity, we need to mention that we received a letter from the Hon Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige stating that he is doing a procurement audit on NSITF and that Management is suspended.

“We note that the Minister’s action is against President Buhari’s directive through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF that stated clearly that no Minister should suspend or sack any head of agency appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The memo stated that Ministers should follow procedures by going through the governing board of the agency that will now make recommendations to the SGF to act if there is need.

“We are sure that President Buhari will not be part of any illegality and lack of due process.

“Meanwhile, the management of NSITF is open to any form of investigation by the appropriate agency as there is nothing that the management will hide or is hiding.

“We have been in receipt of several letters by the minister and several petitions written against NSITF by the Minister of Labour, Sen Chris Ngige and we will make all communications available to the public and relevant authorities.

“The Management of NSITF is still discharging its duty as appointed by Mr President”, the statement said.

It would be recalled that the Ministry of Labour and Employment had on Thursday stated that the president directed the indefinite suspension of the management of the Fund.