‘Nigerians are at risk’ — NAFDAC begs striking workers to resume duty

Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general (DG) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has appealed to the agency’s striking staff to resume work.

On October 7, the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at NAFDAC, began an indefinite strike over issues concerning staff welfare.

Some of the issues include the review of the 2024 promotion examination results, the appointment of directors for public affairs/special duties, the training institute, and the reform of promotion examination content.

Others are the creation of a psychology officer cadre in accordance with the head of the service circular, payment of all pending burial expenses, life insurance and repatriation allowance, and salary arrears for 2022 employees.

In a letter to the striking workers on Monday, Adeyeye lamented that efforts by the management of NAFDAC to resolve the issues have not yielded results.

She cautioned that the prolonged strike “poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and security of Nigerians, as critical regulatory functions are being disrupted”.

“In addition, the cost of the strike to the agency is unquantifiable in terms of our reputation and loss of revenue. This has obvious implications as it will impact our ability to pay productivity allowance (in 2024) and other allowances that will be due in 2025,” the letter reads.

“While SSASCGOC has shown maturity in suspending its strike action, MHWUN is still bent on continuing with the industrial action. It is an ill wind that blows no good. We must put the interest of Nigeria above all else.”

Adeyeye said promotion in public service is based on competitive merit and subject to the availability of vacancies.

“The agency does not determine vacancies. It is purely the responsibility of the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation,” Adeyeye said.

“However, the issue is being addressed as NAFDAC management has written to the head of service through the coordinating minister of health and social welfare (CMHSW) for the expansion of vacancies. The CMHSW recommended the request, and MHWUN was informed.

“Full compliance with the 2022 agreement signed with the NAFDAC council and management: The concern of the union is the gazetting of the hazard, productivity, and regulatory allowances.

“Unknown to the union, this matter has been partially addressed by the secretary to the government of the federation through the advocacy and interventions of the DG.

“The SGF has written to the minister of finance and coordinating minister of economy to approve the allowances for NAFDAC staff using the user fees.

“Payment of repatriation, burial expenses, and life insurance benefits: These issues are non-existent as benefits are paid to deserving staff members as need arises. However, the management is committed to ensuring that all outstanding claims are paid once the names of the concerned persons are forwarded accordingly.

“Payment of disengagement allowance: The notion that the payment of this allowance has been stopped is misguided.

There was no such thought from any quarter. The management is committed to ensuring that any case of delayed payment is promptly addressed.“

The director-general appealed to the workers to return to work and expressed hope that they would “hearken to this appeal in the interest of our nation”.

“It has become necessary to appeal to you to return to work and get NAFDAC moving again. I appreciate your dedication, diligence, and hard work. That is the hallmark of what NAFDAC staff are known for, and we cannot afford to prove otherwise at this critical juncture,” she added.

“It is my sincere hope that you will hearken to this appeal in the interest of our nation. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.”