As the crisis in the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, deepens over the controversial promotion exams and as activists within the commission remain unyielding in their demands for reforms and proper governance, reports indicate that staff of the commission are hopeful that President Bola Tinubu may announce the constitution of a new board of the commission.
Recall that the NCC has been embroiled in crisis following a protest by some staff over a controversial promotion exercise.
Some concerned staff told this medium that there is anxiety among staff of the commission who do not only want the board management sacked, but also want a total reform.
The concerned staff who spoke anonymously to our reporter due to fear of victimization said they are not only clamoring for the sack of the board, but for president Tinubu to speedily constitute a new board, appoint a new Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, appoint Executive Commissioners and non-executive commissioners so that a new management can start on a new slate. According to them, this has to be done quickly before things go out of hand at the commission.
One of the staff said, “ The president has just done this at the NNPC. The board that he sacked was put in place by him, but because the board was not acting in line with the renewed hope agenda of his administration, he sacked them.
“We believe he can take the same action at the NCC, considering its critical role in the digital economy. In this era of the digital world, the Telecom industry deserves more attention. The government needs to keep a close watch.”
Another staff member argued that the current management of the commission has proved incompetent, divisive and lacking in focus. “This runs contrary to the vision of the industry. Staff of the NCC are looking forward to the kind of board the commission had in 2000, 2001, till 2010, chaired by the late Alhaji Ahmad Joda. He could not be influenced by politics or economic gratifications.
“The management then was apolitical and mostly focused on good leadership as against what we see today. In recent times, the board has been pocketed by the CEO and chasing contracts up and down. They do not have the moral authority to question the CEO in whatever he does.”
A digital expert and analyst, Musa Abdullahi, told this medium that what is happening in the commission may be part of the agenda to destabilise President Bola Tinubu’s plans and his agenda for the economy, as NCC is a key actor in the digital economy.
“It’s, therefore, important that the president steps into the ongoing situation at the NCC urgently. You can’t play with a sector so strategic. Note that there was no board approval, no Ministerial approval and no presidential approval on the controversial vacancies and promotion exercise. So the question is, what was the basis for the number of vacancies declared? It is illegal to act against a policy document signed by the president without presidential approval for acting outside the limits of the policy statement.
“Also, for those in the directorate cadre, the rules of the exam were not clearly stated. For instance, what percentage of the score would be based on the written exam and the percentage on the oral examination was never stated. But the board has since then asked no question,” he said.
Speaking on staff solidarity despite the current controversy at the commission, a staff member said, “Despite the divisiveness and plot to pitch staff against one another, there is this growing sense of solidarity among the staff. Even while they are not speaking in the office, many of us are using our connection to formally tender our concerns to people in government so they can step in before the commission is destroyed by some persons,” the staff said.
The concerned staff lamented that they are worried that what used to be one of the finest agencies of government is gradually sliding into oblivion. “ For instance, as a staff, to be nominated to attend a conference, you must fight for it, you must try to work for someone. One of the patriotic things you need to do is to tell lies about your colleagues. This is not the NCC we were recruited into. Before now, staff could embark on an official trip without knowing or worshipping anyone. Today, things have changed, and that’s why we fear we are on the path of destruction,” the staff said.
Recall that a promotion exercise conducted recently resulted in a heated controversy as some staff have since then raised the alarm over alleged victimisation by the management.
They also accused the management of being deliberately selective in their decisions without consideration of competence and actual performance of staff during the promotion examinations. They alleged favouritism and nepotism, calling on President Tinubu to take action to redeem what is left of the commission.
But Nnena Ukoha, Acting Head of Public Affairs, had earlier dismissed the allegation of nepotism and favouritism, stating that the promotion exams were in no way controversial and that they were conducted for all cadres of staff eligible for promotion in the agency.
According to her, the exercise was motivated by “our commitment to integrity, fairness, and the needs of the industry for competent professionals to drive national objectives”.
“In line with the Public Service Rules, the Commission’s organisational structure and manpower plan, each cadre had a defined number of vacancies, representing the number of personnel the Commission could accommodate at each level,” Kalu said in a statement.
“Staff who did not meet the required cut-off, or who passed but for whom vacancies were no longer available at their cadre, could not be promoted.
“Furthermore, the interview panels for staff were composed of credible management staff (drawn from each of the six (6) Geo-Political Zones), in addition to independent external members and representatives from the Federal Character Commission (FCC), who were present to provide oversight and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.”
