From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disputed speculations that its officers are planning to boycott the forthcoming general elections following the non-payment of Osun Governorship election duty allowance.
In a statement, the Director of Public Relations of the corps, DCC Olusola Odumosu agreed that although the personnel of the corps that took part in the Ekiti and Osun state governorship elections in 2022 are yet to receive their allowances, the management of NSCDC has taken bold steps in ensuring the allowances are paid before the presidential election.
According to Odumosu, the fund was released due to the commitment of the Commandant General (CG) of the corps, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
“The recently-released fund was due to the commitment and passion of the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to ensure that staff welfare is not tampered with.
“Worried by the initial delay, Audi set up an action committee headed by the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Mrs Comfort Danladi, to make necessary follow-ups with the Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning in ensuring the release of the funds.
“The co-operation received from the Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning in respect of the payment of the election allowances prompted the assurances by the corps’ management to assure that the process had begun, hence, the need to sue for more patience at that time” he said
Consequently, Audi appealed to the aggrieved officers to exercise some patience as the payment process cannot be completed in one day.
“Concerned personnel are therefore urged to exercise more patience as the payment process cannot be completed in one day.
The corps therefore wishes to implore those attempting to cause confusion in the corps not to waste their time and efforts as it will be an exercise in futility.
“The corps is a professional body and a regimented organisation with well trained and highly disciplined personnel that have full understanding of paramilitary doctrines and public service rules, and would not be coarsed into engaging in acts of indiscipline or sabotage against the nation.
“Personnel of the corps are educated and enlightened enough to understand that allowances are only added incentives to salaries and not a right, and that sometimes, bureaucratic bottlenecks can be responsible for such delays” the statement, further noted.
Meanwhile, the CG has reiterated times without number that under his administration, “the era of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop” in the corps is over.
“Audi believed in the mantra which says “give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.
“Therefore, personnel are urged not to lose faith in the corps’ leadership, nor allow disgruntled elements within or outside the organisation to mislead or hoodwink them into taking wrong actions that could jeopardise their careers” he stated.