They insisted that no going back on the planned industrial action despite threats by the NIS authorities led by the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nanna Nandap to dissuade them.
Some personnel of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have vowed to go ahead with a planned protest over the nonpayment of their promotion arrears as well as failure by the Nigerian government to place promoted workers on their new salary scale.
They insisted that no going back on the planned industrial action despite threats by the NIS authorities led by the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nanna Nandap to dissuade them.
“They have been using head of units and states’ comptrollers to intimidate us but there is no going back on the planned industrial action. All the recent statements by Minister, Comptrollers won’t stop us.
“We are not happy at all and seems strike is the only language Nigerian government understands,” a personnel said on Wednesday.
Another NIS officer added, “We’re planning a nationwide strike over unnecessary deductions and failure of government to pay our arrears. We’re also unable to view our payslips to know what's happening to our salaries for over 6 months.”
Meanwhile, the NIS has advised its officers to be professional and shun any strike action.
Adamu Duguri, Comptroller Immigration Service, Gombe State Command disclosed this in an internal memo obtained by SaharaReporters.
He said, “I wish to inform all personnel of the command that the Service Headquarters has taken note of your yearning and the Service Headquarters is aware of the concerns raised regarding last month's deductions and other related discrepancies.
“Please rest assured that the Service is diligently working to address this issue and implement effective command long terms solutions. As discipline personnel. I must emphasis the importance of maintaining order and professionalism.
“I urge you not to heed any ill- advised suggestion of striking, as this contravenes PSR 030413, which stickily prohibited personnel from engaging in strikes or any activities that disrupts public service. Your cooperation and commitment to duty are vital as we work together to resolve this matter.”
SaharaReporters had on Saturday reported that some officers, from the Nigeria Prisons Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and NIS, also lamented they hadn't received promotion arrears and are experiencing deductions from their salaries by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
The affected personnel had called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and investigate why their allowances hadn't been paid, despite funds being released.
They had also pointed out that their colleagues in the Federal Fire Service and other agencies under the Ministry of Interior have received their promotions and allowances.
In response to the allegations, the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board, Ahmed Ja’afaru, assured the officers that a comprehensive investigation is underway to address their concerns.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ja’afaru said, “The attention of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has been drawn to an online publication of complaints from officers of the paramilitary services under its purview, alleging deductions from their salaries by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, as well as delays in the payment of promotion arrears.
“Consequently, the Minister/Chairman of the Board, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has directed that a comprehensive investigation be carried out forthwith by the Board on the matter while calling on officers of the paramilitary services to remain calm.
“The Board wishes to assure our dedicated officers of its commitment to achieving a swift and positive resolution to these matters.”