The League of Civil Society Groups has made a case for the management of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), even as the agency is under scrutiny over alleged denial of promotion to a qualified pioneer staff of the agency.
The league noted that personnel decisions, including promotions, should be guided by the Federal Civil Service Rules and other established procedures.
Speaking in Abuja on behalf of the coalition, the League’s President, Comrade Basah Mohammed, said promotions in the Federal Public Service are governed by regulations, approved establishment structures, available vacancies and prescribed administrative processes, rather than the discretion of any individual.
According to Mohammed, “We have carefully followed recent developments surrounding the NNRA and have come to the conclusion that the management of the Authority has demonstrated considerable restraint and respect for due process in handling staff-related matters. It is unfair and misleading to suggest that the Director-General can simply promote or appoint anyone outside the provisions of the Public Service Rules”.
He said the NNRA operates within the framework of the Federal Civil Service, where appointments and promotions are subject to approved positions, qualification requirements and recommendations by the appropriate administrative bodies.
Mohammed also said the coalition’s assessment indicated that the Authority had continued to provide staff with avenues to address workplace concerns through established administrative processes.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions led by its Chairman, Kwamoti La’ori, has concluded its investigation into a petition filed against the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Dr Yau Idris, over the alleged denial of promotion to a pioneer staff member of the agency.
The Chairman of the Committee, Kwamoti La’ori, announced the closure of the hearing on Thursday evening, saying the panel would now prepare its final report containing findings and recommendations on the dispute.
It would be recalled that a petition was filed by a Deputy Director and one of the pioneer employees of the NNRA, Mr Abdulhadi Abdullahi, who accused the agency’s management of unlawfully denying him promotion to the rank of Director despite allegedly meeting all statutory requirements.
However, the Civil society League said: “An institution that allows staff to ventilate their grievances through lawful channels, implements directives from oversight bodies where appropriate, and continues to engage employees despite disagreements demonstrates a commitment to fairness.”
Mohammed commended the management of the NNRA under the leadership of Dr. Ya’u Usman Idris, stating that the Authority had continued to strengthen Nigeria’s nuclear safety and radiation protection framework while maintaining professionalism in its internal administration.
“The NNRA is not just another government agency. It is responsible for protecting Nigerians from the dangers associated with ionising radiation and ensuring that nuclear technology is deployed safely across the health, industrial, agricultural, research and energy sectors. Such an institution cannot afford to compromise established procedures in its human resource management,” he said.
Mr Abdulhadi Abdullahi, who accused the agency’s management of unlawfully denying him promotion to the rank of Director despite allegedly satisfying all statutory requirements, claimed that despite interventions by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the supervising ministry and other government institutions, the NNRA management failed to implement recommendations directing that he be promoted.
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