By Stellamaries Amuwa
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the mass retirement of 1,000 staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The House also resolved to ascertain the alleged N50bn payoff earmarked for the settlement of the disengaged staff of the apex bank.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Ohaozara/Oncha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, Hon. Kama Nkemkama.
Speaking on the motion titled, “Need to investigate the retirement of over 1,000 staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the associated N50bn payoff scheme,” Nkemkama urged his colleagues to support rise to the occasion and show adequate interest on the matter.
He noted that the House needs to probe “CBN’s announcement of a N50bn payoff scheme to compensate the affected staff, as part of its human resource reorganisation strategy.”
He added, “The House Is concerned about the sudden mass retirement of over 1,000 staff, including directors and senior management.”
Nkemkama, a member of the Labour Party further added that “The payoff scheme amounting to N50bn may lack sufficient accountability and oversight mechanisms, posing risks of mismanagement and abuse of public funds in a sector vital to Nigeria’s financial stability.”
Following the adoption of the motion, the House presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to “Investigate the mass retirement of over 1,000 staff of the CBN to ascertain the criteria, process, and legality of the exercise.
