NDPHC In Turmoil Over Alleged Forced Retirement Of Senior Managers

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) is reportedly in turmoil due to allegations of the improper promotion of four General Managers from Level 16 to Level 17, an action believed to be aimed at pushing them into retirement.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that the development follows a recent directive from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation mandating retirement for Directors who have served eight years or more.

The directive, issued by Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, was intended to apply to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). However, the NDPHC, jointly owned by the federal government, 36 states, and 774 local government areas, may not qualify as an MDA.

Nevertheless, an internal memo from the NDPHC has directed all General Managers who have served eight years to retire immediately. This directive is reportedly based on a memo from the office of the Vice President, instructing the NDPHC to comply with the new Public Service Rules (PSR) if applicable, according to report in Economy Confidential.

The report stated that the four managers affected by the NDPHC’s directive are Mrs. Maryam D. Mohammed, Mohammed Bunza, Emmanuel Ojo Awo, and Barrister Oladejo Odunuga. They are reportedly opposing this directive, alleging that the Managing Director, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, and the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Nkechiyelu Mba, are forcing them out for personal gain.

The four managers argue that the revised PSR should not apply to them as they are not yet at Level 17, and their roles do not equate to the level of Director in the Federal Civil Service. Furthermore, they argue that the NDPHC should not be subject to the revised PSR, due to its disputed status as an MDA.

NDPHC was founded as a Special Purpose Vehicle by the three tiers of government and incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990, as a private company. The federal government owns 47% of the shares, while states and local governments own 53%.

The report says repeated attempts to contact Mr. Ugbo for comment were unsuccessful.