The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),
Shehu Shagari Complex
Abuja, Nigeria.
CC:
The Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice,
Maitama Abuja, FCT.
Dear sir,
Application Brought Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 Seeking, Amongst Other Things, the Information Regarding the Extent of the Implementation of the Steve Oronsaye Report and the Plans put in place by the government to ensure that Employees of the Federal Government are not or have not been Adversely Affected by the Implementation.
The above subject refers.
We write as a Civil Society Organization to request the details of the information regarding the stage or extent of the implementation of the Oronsaye Report and the modalities put in place by the Federal Government to ensure that the employment of all employees of all the Agencies, Parastatals and Departments of government earmarked for merger or scrapping would not or has not been affected by the implementation of the Report or that their wages, salaries have not or would not be suspended by the implementation.
Our request is predicated on the fact that the Committee was yet to submit their report despite being given 12 weeks from the 7th of March 2024 to do so and employees in the Agencies, Parastatals and Departments penciled for merger or scrapping in pursuance of the aforesaid Report have since been suspended from payment of salaries or wages till date, even though they have continued to carry out their duties as staff of those Agencies, Parastatals and Departments. Specifically, the employees of the Department of the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science have since the inauguration of the committee been suspended from payment of their salaries as a result of the implementation of the report)
While we consider it unfair labour practice for any employee in Nigeria to work without a corresponding payment, such as salaries or wages, it is also exploitative to subject any Nigerian Citizen to such “labour without pay” practice under any guise.
Government policies such as the implementation of the aforementioned Oronsaye Report must not occasion unemployment or inflict hardship on the already struggling citizens of Nigeria. Government policies are meant to address hardship or cushion its effect and not otherwise, and any policy which purports to compound the sufferings of citizens no matter how well-intended, will remain unpopular before the public.
It is noted that the twelve (12) weeks period given to the 10-member Committee by the Federal Government commencing on the 7th day of March 2024, within which to finalize the implementation of the report and submit their report to the Federal Government has long elapsed on the 12th of June 2024, without any information of whatever form regarding the assignment made available to the public.
We therefore seek to be furnished with the following information:
The extent of the report's implementation.
The reason, if any, behind the Committee’s delay in submitting its Report.
The reason why some Agencies, Departments and Parastatals have been deprived of their salaries, wages and entitlements.
Whether it is not in consonance with the report for the President to newly create a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Whether the implementation of the Report has been suspended and reverted to the old system of government.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, we seek the aforementioned information in line with our statutory mandate to demand transparency and accountability from the government while providing social justice to citizens.
While we await the information herein requested, the Federal Government is hereby urged to effect payment of all unpaid salaries, wages and such other statutory entitlement immediately to all employees of Agencies, Parastatals and Departments affected or likely to be affected by the implementation of the aforesaid Oronsaye Report and in the similar vein, ensure that no Nigerian loses his or her job as a result of the implementation of the Report.
Take Notice that seven (7) days is in line with the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 hereby given within which to comply with the demand herein made.
Kindly accept the assurance of our esteemed regards.
Yours faithfully,
M. O. Idam, Esq.,
Chief Legal Adviser,
League for Social Justice.
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