Senate directs reinstatement of sacked NRC worker, payment of entitlements

The Nigerian Senate has rejected the dismissal of a member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The Senate asked the Corporation on Tuesday to restore a former District Engineer, Engr. Aniekan Paddy Ukpe, whose appointment was terminated in March 2023.

The Red Chamber further ordered that the former District Engineer be paid all outstanding entitlements, stating that there was no evidence linking him to the vandalism of railway rails within his jurisdiction.

Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, raised the issue before the Senate.

The lawmaker’s report to the Senate arose from a petition submitted by the Engineer, who claimed that the Corporation had wrongfully terminated his appointment.

In his plea, Engr. Ukpe stated that he was the Senior Civil Engineer in charge of the North Central District, which included Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa states.

He described how he learned of the railway track vandalism that occurred on September 19, 2022, at Kamuru Station in Zonkwa, Kaduna State.

After receiving the information, the Engineer stated that he immediately issued a verbal telegram report to the District Manager and filed a formal complaint with the police.

He stated that this resulted in the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators, two of whom were sentenced to two years in prison.

According to Ukpe’s petition, rather than being complimented by the District Manager, he was accused of underreporting the incident.

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The District Manager questioned him and then sent the case to an investigation committee.

He claimed that the committee’s findings were biased and riddled with anomalies, which led to his dismissal without a fair chance to defend himself.

The NRC, represented by its Managing Director, Engr. (Dr.) F.E. Okhiria, justified the termination by claiming dereliction of duty.

According to the NRC, Engr. Ukpe delayed reporting the occurrence to his superiors and was complacent in handling the situation.

The corporation claimed that his acts breached the Railway General Rules of 1964, which justified his firing.