The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide clarity on the recent dismissal of approximately 1,000 staff members and the subsequent payment of a ₦50 billion compensation package.
This request was made during the opening of an investigative hearing by the Ad-hoc Committee of the House, which is investigating the CBN’s decision to terminate staff.
Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, emphasized the need for transparency and thorough investigation into the reasons behind the layoffs, particularly given the current economic challenges in the country. He tasked the committee, chaired by Chief Whip Bello Kumo, with examining the rationale behind the decision, the impact on the affected employees and their families, and the broader economic implications.
In his statement, Abbas pointed out that while a leaner and more efficient government is a widely accepted goal, decisions like these must be weighed against the welfare and rights of the employees, as well as the long-term stability of the institution. “We must ascertain whether the principles of due diligence, fairness, and due process were followed in determining the severance package,” he said.
The Speaker further urged the CBN and other affected government agencies to fully cooperate with the committee to ensure a comprehensive investigation. He stressed that protecting the rights of the affected employees and ensuring transparency in the process should be the priority, as the scale of the layoffs and the severance package are significant and have far-reaching consequences.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Livinus Nwabughiogu, on Saturday, quoted Abbas as saying, “The committee has been tasked with examining several critical aspects of this issue. We need to understand the impact of this decision and ensure that fairness and due process were followed in the determination of the ₦50bn severance package.”
