The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, representing joint unions within the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), have raised objections to the recent pronouncement by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio had, on Wednesday, unveiled a new board for FERMA but described some of its members as “executive board members,” a departure from the conventional nomenclature used for board members.
In a letter addressed to Akpabio, jointly signed by ASCSN Chairman Paul Onimisi and AUPCTRE Chairman Abdulmumin Idris, the unions expressed their dissatisfaction with the Senate President’s announcement, characterizing it as disheartening and demoralizing for the agency’s staff.
The unions emphasized that designating certain individuals as “executive board members” with a view to eventually having them oversee the various departments is not in compliance with the FERMA Act.
They asserted that such a move runs counter to career progression within government agencies and could undermine the motivation of career officers who currently manage these departments.
According to the unions, this decision could disrupt the structure of FERMA, impede the fulfillment of its mandate, and adversely affect the morale of its employees.
The union leaders stressed that creating an executive board within the existing board structure would be counterproductive and lead the agency in a direction contrary to its mandate.
They also highlighted that FERMA and its staff are actively working toward fulfilling their service to the nation and urged a swift reversal of this perceived irregularity to avert potential disruption.
The joint unions’ letter was intended to bring this matter to the attention of President Bola Tinubu.