Tension hits National Commission for Refugees, as staff stage protest, shut down office, call for immediate removal of CEO
Staff of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) have shut down the Headquarters of the Commission in Abuja in protest against the Federal Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Aliyu Ahmed.
The disgruntled employees are calling for his immediate dismissal, citing allegations of mismanagement, inadequate staff welfare, lack of transparency, and fund misuse, especially regarding the Ecological Fund.
The Guardian reports that Ahmed’s appointment 21 months ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sparked allegations of unfair treatment, inadequate staff welfare, opaque fund management—particularly the Ecological Fund—and biased distribution of relief materials.
A senior member of staff of the Commission, who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity, stated that despite numerous memos to the CEO on the distribution of relief materials to IDPs, only his state, Nasarawa, gets scheduled for distribution. Every now and then, other zonal offices get nothing, and sometimes the items expire or go bad and are thrown away.
“There is a big backlog of travel allowances owed by the management many months after the fund was released. Funds for staff welfare during Sallah and Christmas were allegedly released too, but no single staff got a penny,” the source added.
This protest comes amid growing concerns over the Commission’s operations.
Last year, a significant consignment of relief materials intended for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) was discovered hoarded in classrooms at the Durumi IDP camp in Abuja.
The discovery prompted the Federal Government to initiate an investigation into the alleged diversion of aid meant for displaced individuals.
The protesters are calling for immediate reforms within the Commission, including improved staff welfare, transparent financial management, and accountability in the utilization of funds. They have vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands are met.
(Source: The Guardian)
