Posted by Oluwole Josiah, Abuja on
The staff of the Ministry of Sports and Social Development are agitating for the release of N37.4 million, being the sum deducted by the ministry from their salaries as contributions to the staff cooperative society.
The staff of the Ministry of Sports and Social Development are agitating for the release of N37.4 million, being the sum deducted by the ministry from their salaries as contributions to the staff cooperative society.
They alleged that funds, which were supposed to serve the purpose of staff welfare, have been with held or misappropriated by ministry officials.
According a member of the society, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity in Abuja, the funds were currently not accessible to the members.
According to him, 'they have told us that due to shortfalls in government allocations, the funds were used to augment the ministry's funding."
He added that for a long time, the members have not been receiving their dues from the society, even though deductions were still going on.
He said the problems started during the tenure of Mr. Solomon Matankari Permanent Secretary with Mrs. Ngozi Duru, as Director of Finance and Administration.
According him, several moves to resolve the matter before the posting of Matankari out of the ministry were unfruitful.
Records of the funds owed workers showed that deductions were still being made from the salaries of staff of the then National Sports Commission, Ministry of Youths and Sports, and those deployed to the Ministry of Women Affairs.
'We are determined to retrieve our money through any legal means or mass protest to bring this ugly situation to the notice of all Nigerians," our source said.
In his reaction, Permanent Secretary of the Sports Ministry, Mr. Thaddeus Hart, said the money was not misappropriated, as arrangements were being made to pay the affected staff.
According to him, the delay in payment was due to the shortfall in allocation of funds to the ministry from the Ministry of Finance.
He further explained that the shortfall created a situation where only a few would be benefiting from the scheme while others would be left out, saying, discussions were going on between his office and labour to create a proper understanding of the situation.
Hart was surprised that even though explanations were made to the concerned members, few were still fanning the embers of controversy in the ministry.
The PUNCH, Friday, July 29, 2005