NLC writes Tinubu over industrial crisis at Lower Niger River Basin Develoment Authority

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Kwara State Council, has cried out to President Bola Tinubu over what it described as worsening industrial crisis and growing allegations of administrative misconduct at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, LNRBDA, Ilorin.

The union raised the alarm in a letter sent to the President on Thursday.

The Kwara State NLC noted that while the LNRBDA, a strategic federal institution, is expected to support the Tinubu administration’s food security and agricultural development agenda, the agency has, unfortunately, become increasingly engulfed in division, fear, victimization, suppression of accountability and serious allegations of procurement irregularities.

The labour union expressed concern that the institution cannot achieve progress in the prevailing environment where unity among workers has collapsed and fear has replaced trust.

“A workforce constantly divided and intimidated cannot effectively deliver on the national mandate of agricultural growth and food security.

“Workers of the Authority have repeatedly raised concerns over what they describe as a growing culture of intimidation, selective victimization, wrongful demotions, withholding of promotion letters, punitive queries, and suppression of officers who demand accountability or associate with union activities,” the union said.

The Kwara NLC further highlighted concerns surrounding procurement activities within the LNRBDA.

It also expressed concern over alleged claims by the management that the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, was aware of procurement irregularities within the agency. “If true, such a statement raises grave concerns about institutional accountability. If false, it represents a reckless and damaging allegation against a key federal regulatory institution,” the labour union noted.

The President was also asked to, urgently, direct an investigation regarding the alleged procurement and presentation of refurbished tractors and equipment as brand-new assets supplied to the LNRBDA.

The union drew attention to the alleged sidelining the Executive Director, Finance and Administration from lawful GIFMIS responsibilities and other statutory supervisory functions, contrary to established financial procedures. According to the union, such actions weaken institutional checks and transparency mechanisms within a critical federal agency.

The letter added, “Of further concern is the conduct of the Managing Director during a recent visit by a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation. Rather than allowing open engagement between the Ministry’s delegation and Authority workers, the Managing Director restricted the session to a one-way delivery of the Minister’s message, denying staff the chance to voice their grievances.

“This further fueled concerns that transparency and open communication are being deliberately suppressed within the Authority.”

The Kwara NLC highlighted other issues that require independent investigation, including unauthorized deployment of the Authority’s heavy-duty equipment without proper accountability procedures; alleged diversion of government revenues through unsupervised use of public assets; alleged use of official government vehicles for private purposes; and victimization of workers for participating in lawful labour activities and peaceful protests.

The union demanded an investigation into alleged refusal to release public information and directives of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation requested under the Freedom of Information, FOI, Act, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the Authority.

The union stressed that the continued tension within the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority threatens industrial harmony, staff productivity, and the effective delivery of the agency’s mandate.

Summarizing their demands, the letter stated, “The Nigeria Labour Congress, Kwara State Council, therefore respectfully calls on Your Excellency to urgently order an independent forensic investigation into procurement and financial activities within LNRBDA; investigate allegations concerning the supply of refurbished tractors allegedly presented as new assets; investigate the statement allegedly linking the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to procurement irregularities within the Authority; direct the immediate release of all public information and ministerial directives being withheld contrary to the Freedom of Information Act; restore industrial harmony, accountability, and transparency within the Authority; and protect workers from intimidation, harassment, and victimization for lawful union activities.”

NLC writes Tinubu over industrial crisis at Lower Niger River Basin Develoment Authority