The House of Representatives on Tuesday lambasted the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, over how he is handling the affairs of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.
The House particularly declared the suspension of the NSITF management by the minister illegal, accusing him of committing various illegalities through his office.
In a motion moved by Mr Leke Abejide, which the lawmakers unanimously adopted, the House called for lifting of the suspension.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had dismissed claims by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association that the suspension of the management of the NSITF violated the procedure approved by the President.
The ministry had insisted that the removal of the NSITF management followed due process “as the Federal Government hundred per cent owned the parastatal”.
The Director-General of NECA, Timothy Olawale, had earlier in a letter to Ngige, on Friday, faulted the suspension of the NSITF management, saying it was arbitrary and did not follow the due process.
Olawale had said the investigations into the allegations against the NSITF leadership was not concluded yet, noting that Ngige did not secure presidential approval to sack the officials as he claimed.
The ministry had, however, argued that Ngige acted in line with the Constitution, the Public Service Rules and NSITF Act.
It explained that the NSITF Act empowered the minister to recommend fit and proper persons to the President for appointment for the post of chairman, managing director and three executive directors to manage the day-to-day affairs of the agency.
It explained that the NSITF Act empowered the minister to recommend fit and proper persons to the President for appointment for the post of chairman, managing director and three executive directors to manage the day-to-day affairs of the agency.