NEMA Commences Payment of Allowances of Striking Staff

Damilola Oyedele

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced payment of overtime and other allowances to its 778 staff, in a bid to avert another strike by its workers.

This is as the management of the agency called for an urgent review of its establishment. Act to incorporate several issues which became a matter of contention with the union.

The Director General of NEMA, Mr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, speaking when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Special Duties said at least 200 staff have received alerts for overtime allowances, after verification, as at 2.30p.m. yesterday.

He disclosed that the payments continued as part of resolutions reached with the workers and officials of the Labour Ministry at a mediatory meeting on Monday.

Maihaja however told the committee chaired by Senator Abdulaziz Nyako (Adamawa APC) that hazard allowances which were requested for by the workers cannot be paid.

While such allowances are particularly necessary because of the risks the workers are exposed to in responding to emergencies in different parts of the country, hazard allowance is not captured in the constitution or enabling act of the agency, Maihaja said.

He added that the demand for group life insurance by the workers is already being worked on by the management in conjunction with the relevant ministries, but cannot be concluded in a week.

The Chairman, Nyako harped on the need for harmony between the management and workers of NEMA due to the strategic importance of the agency.

“You know how important the organisation is. It is therefore crucial that harmony exists in the organisation particularly at a time like this when we are under stress.

“You have seen searchlight beamed on you due to the activities you are carrying out all over the country. So it is necessary to resolve these issues,” Nyako said.

Nyako directed the agency to submit a progress report on the resolutions within two weeks.

The committee would hold a meeting with the workers representatives today.