Industrial Action At NIPC Puts FG’s Investment Drive In Jeopardy – Workers’ Union

The industrial action at the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission is putting the investment drive of the Federal Government in jeopardy.

The NIPC Staff Union had embarked on an industrial action last week to protest against the Executive Secretary, Yewande Sadiku on issues relating to disloyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari, casting aspersions on members staff of the Commission, and deviation from NIPCs core mandate.

She was also accused of wastage of scarce resources on frivolous foreign trips, favoritism in career progression by creating service based departments around personalities, double standard and deliberate tardiness on all Issues of staff welfare

Following the shutdown of the headquarters of the commission last week, interventions were made by the NIPC Governing Council, Permanent Secretary of the supervising Ministry and Security Agencies through a series of meetings.

Speaking on the outcome of these meetings, the Chairman of the NIPC’s workers’ union, Comrade Yusuf Mustapha, said on Wednesday that all reconciliatory attempts have proved abortive due to the Executive Secretary’s unwillingness to resolve the issues especially those relating to welfare of members of staff.

As a result of the breakdown in negotiations, he said the strike action would continue throughout this week.

He said, “The industrial action is a serious cause for concern that must not be brushed aside by the Federal Government.

“At a time when COVID-19 has caused havoc on economies around the world, the last thing government needs is the nation’s foremost Investment Promotion Agency going on strike.

“The NIPC is the face of the nation as far as promoting and attracting investment into the Nigerian economy is concerned.

“The COVID-19 has made competition for investment stiffer than ever as countries are re-strategising to make their economies more attractive for investors.

“Nigeria needs its IPA to be at its utmost best to ensure that it is not left behind by its competitors.”

He called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, address the industrial action taking place at the NIPC to protect its image from being embarrassed in the eyes of existing and potential investors

The NIPC had through the Director, Strategic Communication, Emeka Offor reacted to the workers strike stating that the management had always made welfare of members of staff a priority.

According to him, major welfare improvements were initiated by the management without being prompted to stimulate productivity and ensure job satisfaction for members of staff.

The improvement, he stated, included the introduction of a productivity allowance that rewards staff when budget targets are met, a post service benefit scheme to provide for those who retire or leave after many years of service, a staff housing loan scheme that could help with home ownership, and a group life insurance policy that will support families of any staff that dies.

He explained that the measures taken by management on workers’ welfare are in addition to the regular payment of their salaries by the Federal Government.

About ten companies are planning to invest the sum of $4.8bn in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Highlights of the investment plans which is contained in a report released by the NIPC showed that out of the $4.8bn, 328 Support Services is planning to invest about $2bn in the transportation sector

The investment, according to the NIPC is expected to be made in Kaduna State.

The report also said that MTN South Africa is also planning to invest about $1.6bn in the information and communications sector.

It added that African Industries Group is planning to commit about $600m investment in the mining and quarrying sector of the economy, while Savannah Petroleum has also unfolded plans to commit about $390m in the same sector of the economy.

Other companies are Moore Chemical Industries with about $110m in the agricultural sector, while Agro Tech Nigeria and Villam Agric Ltd have also planned to invest $60m and $10m in the same sector respectively.

Also, there are plans by three companies-Blue Seal Energy Group, Greatman Legend and Tomato Jos to invest $10m each in the manufacturing sector of the economy.

The investments by the three firms in the manufacturing sector are expected to be located in Lagos and Kaduna State.