Mass sack looms as FG commences reforms in NIPOST

– The federal government is reportedly preparing to reform the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and this may lead to mass retrenchment 

– It is believed that not less than 1,000 staff would be affected when this reform finally commences as allegedly directed by the post master general

 – Though the country’s communication minister has denied any plan to retrench workers, a top official confirmed that the reform would soon commence 

The federal government is planning a reform of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and this could lead to a mass sack of its staff, Daily Trust has reported. 

President Buhari’s government had often promised to reduce unemployment in the country

 The report quoted a top source as saying that Asiwaju Bisi Adegbuyi, the new postal master general (PMG), gave a directive that would ensure that the 10,500 workforce is reduced by, at least, 1000. 

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The unnamed source reportedly said those that would be affected are those that have spent up to 30 years in the civil service as well as those that work in the agency’s posts considered inactive.

 “We are looking at some of them who are already old and have put in up to 30 years, or close to that, and some of them who are at the offices which are inactive.

 “At least, a thousand of them may be affected for now, but government would pay them all their entitlement as they exit. “It is a reform government must embark upon to bring NIPOST back to real business,” the source reportedly said.

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However, speaking through Victor Oluwadamilare, his media aide, Adebayo Shittu, the communications minister, denied that the government was planning to retrench workers. 

“There is nothing like that, at least, for now. “We are not aware of that. Whoever told you may not be telling you the truth. 

“A number of reforms will take place there but I don’t think the government is thinking of sacking any staff,” he said. While also speaking, Mr Taye Olaniyi, who is in charge of public affairs at NIPOST said the agency was not planning to immediately sack workers. 

But he confirmed that a reform is expected and this could either result in retrenchment. If the sack comes true, the federal government may have betrayed its promise not to sack any staff. 

In July, the government, through Chris Ngige, the labour minister, begged banks and oil companies not to retrench workers.