Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters indicates that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently neck-deep in a succession crisis, tearing it apart.
It was learnt that the crisis stemmed from the expiration of the one year “special” tenure of Usman Gur Mohammed, as interim Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the agency.
It was gathered that even though Mohammed is not an engineer, but seconded from the African Development Bank (AfDB) where he was the Principal Power Utility Transformation Specialist in the Nigeria Country Office.
Mohammed whose tenure is believed have expired on February 1, 2018, had handed over to one Lawal Maman Jimoh, who is said to be a junior officer, thereby neglecting hierarchy, contrary to a directive by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the extant laws of succession in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). It was gathered that from the TCN’s hierarchy, Jimoh is number 15 in the ladder.
Information has it that the present hierarchy of the agency, the first three are Engineer Tonack Ayuba Job, followed by Isah-Dutse Ahmed and Engineer Ciroma, Almajiri Joseph. Job, a 1984 graduate also top in the promotion cadre having achieved that in 2011.
It was learnt that the TCN staff members are worried that the next senior officer that should have taken over the leadership is neglected which is contrary to the SGF’s directives and the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
It is in record that the SGF, Boss Mustapha had, in a circular of November 23, 2017, directed that the extant laws of succession be followed to the letter.
In the circular, he noted: “it has been observed that some Ministries have continued to process appointments of Chief Executives and Executive Directors of Agencies without following the clearly defined extant Guidelines and the provisions of the enabling laws of such Agencies.”
According to him, many agencies disregard the succession process “in spite of the age long practice established since the return of democracy as articulated in Circular No. SGF.0P/1/S.3/T/1 of 14th August 2009” pointing out that by way of reminder, the Circular directed all ministries to operate within the law establishing the Parastatals and Government Agencies under their supervision.
Mustapha added: “in view of the foregoing and in accordance with this Administration’s policy which prescribes the entrenchment of rule of law, transparency and accountability in the conduct of Government business, it has become necessary for all ministries to adhere strictly with the extant guidelines for appointing Chief Executives and Heads of Parastatals, Government Agencies and Institutions.”
The circular reminded supervising Ministers and other Principal Officers of MDAs are reminded that such appointments which should be without prejudice to eligible serving officers competing for these positions must be based on strict adherence to the principle of justice, equity and fair play.
In another circular of 4th December 2017 with reference No.SGF.50/S.II/C268, titled “End of tenure processes for Heads of Extra-Ministerial departments, Directors General, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions and Government-owned Companies and succession guidelines,” the SGF emphasized the succession procedure.
He said that pending the appointment of a substantive Head of extra-ministerial department/Director General/Chief Executive Officer of Parastatals, Agency, Commission and Government-owned Company, “the out-going Chief Executive must handover to the next most senior officer of the establishment as long as the officer does not have any pending disciplinary matter.”
The circular pointed out that “Outgoing heads of extra-ministerial departments, Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions and Government-owned companies are not allowed the discretion of choosing the officer to whom they would handover.”
Besides, in a letter dated 8th January 2018 referenced FMP/5468/TII signed by Audu-Nunghe, R.M. (Mrs) for Minister of Power, Works and Housing and copied to the TCN, it emphasized the SGF’s directive.
The letter stated that “I am directed to draw your attention to the attached self-explanatory circular ref.no. SGF.50/S.II/C.2/268 dated 4th Dec., 2017, from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on the above subject matter for your information and strict compliance.”
When our roving reporter visited thet head office of the TCN yesterday, Monday, staff members were seen loitering and murmuring, even as their morale appeared to have gone down to the lowest as a result of the leadership crisis.
Neither the outgoing boss of the agnecy nor the incoming one was ready to speak on the matter when approached.
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