Host communities of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) have petitioned Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, over the alleged delay in releasing the results of the competency test for the vacant Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position at the Institute.
The 16 communities in Edo state are Uwan, Ugbogiobo, Evboneka, Iyowa, Oluku, Okokhuo, Abumwere, Isikhukhu, Ekowe, Ekodobo, Azalama, Ozoguo, Obazuwa, Ekiadolor, Iguediaken, and Okunuvbe, through their Elders’ Forum, alleged that suppression of the results has caused a delay in appointing a substantive CEO for the Institute.
The petition written by their Counsel, Idahosa Moses and Co., was signed by Omobude Ali Joseph, Aighobahi Daniel, Omoruyi Jolly, Ahanor Ekhosuehi and Ofamukoro Matthew for the communities’ Elders’ Forum.
Copies were also addressed to the Senate President, Chief of Staff to the President, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and the Head of Service of the Federation.
They described the alleged delay as undermining transparency, which is now causing unrest among staff and other stakeholders in the institute.
NIFOR host communities have appealed to the various offices mentioned above to probe into the non-disclosure of the outcome of a competency test and interview conducted by NIFOR.
They hope that eligible name will be released for the position as candidates had already sat for the competency test months ago.
The host communities called on the federal government to act promptly to prevent the matter from leading to a catastrophic breach of public peace at the Institute by upholding the established guidelines for managing agricultural research institutes to restore order and public trust at NIFOR.
