The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has found itself embroiled in a contentious dispute with its staff in Kano State over the alleged sale of staff quarters. Workers, represented by the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NURW) and the Senior Staff Association of Communications Transport Cooperation (SSACTC), have petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, accusing the NRC’s business arm, Nigerian Railway Properties Ltd (NRP), and its Kano Zonal Manager, Timothy Zalanga, of illegally selling their homes. The petition alleges a pattern of forced evictions and inadequate compensation dating back to 2006, with the most recent incidents occurring in 2023. The workers claim that the NRP, after dislodging them from their residences, converted the staff quarters for private use, essentially profiting from the sale of their homes.
The workers’ petition details a series of alleged forced evictions spanning nearly two decades. In 2006, affected staff were reportedly given a meager N35,000 as relocation money, a sum deducted directly from their salaries. Similar incidents occurred in 2010, with compensation ranging from N70,000 to N90,000, again deducted from salaries. The petition further alleges that in 2023, the practice continued, with workers receiving between N200,000 and N300,000 as relocation fees, also deducted from their earnings. The workers contend that the NRC management misappropriated the funds received from the sale of these properties, converting them for personal gain rather than reinvesting in staff housing. The petition emphasizes that living witnesses are available to testify to these alleged injustices.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation is the reported construction of new staff quarters by one of the purchasers of the original buildings. This new development was purportedly intended to house some of the affected junior staff who had been evicted. However, the details surrounding this arrangement remain unclear, further fueling the workers’ discontent and suspicions regarding the handling of the entire affair. The petition calls for a thorough investigation into these allegations, seeking redress for the affected staff and accountability from those responsible.
The escalating conflict has also sparked internal discord within the NURW. National President Innocent Ajiji suspended the Kano chapter’s executives, accusing them of spreading falsehoods against the NRC management. Ajiji claims that the local executives’ decision to hire a lawyer, which they subsequently denied, undermined his authority and warranted disciplinary action. He has threatened to recommend their dismissal from the NRC if they continue to challenge the management’s narrative. This internal conflict within the union potentially weakens the workers’ collective bargaining power and complicates their efforts to secure justice.
Meanwhile, Zalanga, the accused zonal manager, denies any wrongdoing. He insists that the national body of the NURW is fully aware of the property transactions and that no shady dealings occurred. He references a joint committee established by the former Minister of Transport, which supposedly submitted a position paper to the Attorney-General of the Federation addressing the issue. Zalanga asserts that the matter of staff quarters and monetization had already been resolved, suggesting that the current petition is based on misinformation or a misunderstanding.
The conflicting narratives presented by the workers, the NURW national leadership, and the NRC management highlight the complexity of this dispute. The workers’ petition paints a picture of long-standing exploitation and disregard for their housing needs, while the management maintains that all actions were taken transparently and with the union’s knowledge. The Attorney-General’s investigation will be crucial in determining the veracity of the allegations and ensuring that justice is served. This case also underscores the broader challenges faced by Nigerian workers, particularly in the public sector, where issues of inadequate housing, insufficient compensation, and alleged corruption can significantly impact their livelihoods and well-being. The outcome of this dispute will likely have implications for future staff housing policies and the relationship between the NRC and its workforce.
