PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT: FAAN Finance Director Sacks Over “Appointment Irregularities”
The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has sacked the finance director at airspace regulator, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Tochukwu Bede Uchendu, over allegations of irregularities associated with his appointment as well as granting unapproved waivers to the tune of N1 billion.
Mr Uchendu’s sack was made pursuant to a petition by the Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) dated March 23, and addressed to the office of the Head of Service.
The unions had alleged that he is a serving director in a company with ties interestingly, by the minister – Consumer Investment Limited – and therefore, “it is obvious that he may not be able to discharge his duties without fear or favor as he would have to contend with conflict of interests because of his ownership as a board member of Consumer Investment Limited, a company which the wife of the minister is also a serving director.”
His sack which was contained in a letter dated April 27, 2015, and signed by the director of Human Resources, A. A. Tsafe, for the minister of aviation. It reads in part:
“I wish to refer to our letter reference number FMA/FAAN/7090/T2/105 dated March 13, 2015, on the above subject and regretfully inform you that the letter is hereby withdrawn pending the conclusion of the necessary due process on the matter. When that is concluded, FAAN, the appropriate authority, will issue you with a formal letter of appointment.
“We regretfully inform you that the letter (his appointment letter) is hereby withdrawn pending the conclusion of the necessary due process on the matter,” the ministry stated.
The letter directs Mr Tochukwu Uchendu to vacate the office until an inquiry is carried out and a formal letter of appointment issued to him.
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