The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the 18 local government council chairmen in the state to submit their statements of account.

Gatekeeper reports that the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.

Okpebholo directed the council chairmen to submit the statements to the Assets Verification Committee, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG.

He said the statement of accounts should be effective from September 4, 2023 till date.

He said the statements of account would help and enable the Assets Verification Committee do its job effectively and efficiently.

The governor, at a meeting with the councils’ chairmen at Government House, however, promised to work closely with them for a better Edo state.

He was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.

“I have listened to you keenly, the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is a leader of all of us. Election has come and gone and we are all one family. The Governor has asked me to assure you that we are one family.

“He has also asked me to tell you that we will work closely together. I guess you are aware that a few weeks ago, the Assets Verification Committee was constituted.

“Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this Government and that Committee would not have the resources to go across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.

“The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours (2 days), as that would help and enable the Committee to do its job effectively and efficiently.

“The statement of accounts should be sent through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to the Assets Verification Committee. The Governor thanks you for your time,” he said.

Earlier, Newman Ugiagbe, chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area and also the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), who led the 18 local government chairmen on the courtesy visit, pledged their loyalty to Governor Monday Okpebholo and promised to collaborate with him to ensure that the administration succeeds.

“We are here to congratulate the Governor and the Deputy on the mandate the Edo people gave them and here to pledge our loyalty to your administration.

“Our doors are open to your instructions, policies and programmes, as we are ready to bring your policies down to the grassroots to enable our people to benefit from the dividends of democracy as we will work to ensure your administration succeeds”, he stated.

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, directed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to suspend the retirement of 1,000 staff and the associated payoff scheme until an investigation is completed.

The House decided to investigate the mass retirement of over 1,000 CBN employees to evaluate the criteria, process and legality of the action.

Additionally, it seeks to examine the N50 billion payoff scheme to ensure transparency, accountability, and appropriate use of funds.

An ad hoc committee will be established to engage with CBN leadership to assess the potential economic and institutional effects of retirements on Nigeria’s financial sector.

The motion of urgent public importance was sponsored by Kama Nkemkama (LP, Ebonyi), who urged the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to protect the rights of the affected staff according to Nigerian labour laws.

During the debate, Nkemkama drew attention to media reports suggesting that the CBN plans to retire over 1,000 staff members as part of its restructuring under the Acting Governor’s leadership.

He noted that the CBN has reportedly announced a N50 billion payoff scheme for the affected staff as part of its human resource reorganisation strategy, claiming that the process will ensure fairness and equity.

Nkemkama raised concerns about the sudden mass retirement of over 1,000 employees, including directors and senior management, questioning the selection criteria, transparency, and adherence to due process per public service guidelines and labour laws.

He emphasized that such a major decision has socio-economic implications for the individuals affected, their dependants, and the wider economy, potentially leading to increased unemployment and public discontent.

The lawmaker also warned that the reported N50 billion payoff scheme may lack adequate accountability and oversight, posing risks of mismanagement and misuse of public funds in a sector crucial to Nigeria’s financial stability.

There are indications that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may retire about 1,000 of its employees by December 31, 2024.

This is according to a recent report by Daily Trust, which states that the exercise will cost the apex bank N50 billion.

The CBN, led by Olayemi Cardoso, described the move as a strategic realignment of its workforce.

This comes as, in the last 10 months, the CBN disengaged many of its staff, including 17 directors who served under the immediate past governor, Godwin Emefiele.

In a circular released three weeks ago by the CBN, it stated that the application for the Early Exit Package (EPP) was open to all cadres of staff and would close by Saturday, December 7.

According to the circular, staff exempted are those yet to be confirmed or who have served less than one year “as of the date of publication,” with the effective date of exit set at December 31, 2024.

“Financial incentives for all other cadres of staff shall be for the remaining period in service, up to a maximum of 18 months of current grade gross annual emoluments,” it added.

However, the apex bank is yet to officially comment on the planned retirement of 1,000 staff by year-end.