Striking workers of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have called on the Federal Government to dismiss members of the management team of the commission over issues bordering on alleged inflation of contracts sum and other acts of corruption.

The workers, under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), CAC chapter, made this call at the weekend in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the industrial unrest which is currently rocking the commission.

Chairman of the union, Comrade Ibrahim Kirfi, who went down memory lane to explain the agitations of the aggrieved workers, especially the neglect of their welfare, said only the sacking of the entire management of the commission would bring about the desired sanity and industrial peace in the organisation.

Kirfi said apart from the non-implementation of agreements reached with the union on the huge salary disparity between executive and non-executive staff, the CAC management has continued to embark on projects without adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act and government extant circulars on fringe benefits and allowances, hence they need to be kicked out.

His words: “All management staff (Directors) in the commission are given exotic and flamboyant cars with fueling and maintenance, GSM recharge cards, full DSTV and internet subscriptions, generator allowance, all in contravention and utter disregard to government policy on monetisation.

“Award of an unending car park project: The initial contract sum was N250 million to completion. However, this contract has been reviewed to almost N1 billion as at 2017.

“Award of contract of executive elevator at the head office for almost N300 million, which was queried and rejected by former Director Internal Audit on the ground of extravagance. Yearly expenditure of almost N2 billion on ICT infrastructure without commensurate service delivery.

“Inflated contracts in state offices; for instance, a small office (of the size of a boy-quarters) was constructed for N300 million in Katsina State and fencing of a plot of less than 1,000 square metres at the cost of N16.5 million each in the state offices.”

But in a swift reaction, the Head of Public Affairs of the Commission, Mr Godfrey Ike, dismissed the allegations of the union, saying that the management has met the demands of the striking workers and expressed surprise over the call for the sack of the management.

“The CAC has met the demands and the Minister of Industry (Trade and Investment) has approved the payment for the implementation of the MoU signed by all parties,” Ike said, adding that “it is pertinent to state that all procurement issues in commission follow due process and this can be verified.” (The AUTHORITY)

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