Over 450 ‘Level 14’ workers at the Lagos State Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office have cried out to Governor Akinwumi Ambode, urging him to probe what they describe as “fraudulent activities”, in their delayed promotion.
The Point gathered at TEPO that no fewer than 450 members of staff were currently facing promotion delay, after having passed the required promotion examination and conversion test conducted way back in 2014.
The workers are pointing fingers at a senior permanent secretary in the state, accusing the person of being at the head of a cartel that seeks bribe to dish out promotion.
Some of the affected civil servants in separate interviews with our correspondent, said senior officials at the TEPO, acting as leg workers for the said permanent secretary, had asked them to part with half of their one month salaries each, to be promoted to the next level.
One of the affected workers, who simply identified herself as Mrs. Olatunde, said, “Some of our colleagues that were affected had gone to TEPO with money and they had been promoted. I was also asked to come along by some colleagues but I declined.”
Speaking further, Olatunde said, “This case started in 2014 when we did our conversion test, after which we became due for promotion to the next level.
“Formerly, during former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s era, if you passed the exam, you would be asked to wait for three years; but when Governor Akinwunmi Ambode came, he asked that such order be reversed, directing that every officer who is certified for promotion should be promoted.
“But when we discovered that people who came behind us were being promoted, we couldn’t stand it. What we heard was that the issue was from TEPO officials, who are using it for business.”
Another victim, who also sought to be addressed as Mr. Adelaja, maintained that, “confidential sources told me that people at TEPO are using the case for business. You have to ‘settle’ them with at least half of your monthly salary before they give you promotion.”
Findings by our correspondent, however, showed that the affected workers include teachers across the state, and other ‘Level 14’ officers in the various ministries.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers has confirmed that it received many complaints from its members in the Lagos Teaching Service, regarding the cash-for-promotion scam.
The Treasurer of the union, Comrade Paul Falola, in a telephone chat with our correspondent, said, “We are aware of the situation.The office of the Governor has been petitioned and we hope that very soon, action will be taken on the case.”
Also, a human rights group, Usat Jashabel Touch-A-Heart Foundation, has taken up the case of the aggrieved public servants.
Its official, Mrs. Favour Benson, said, “When the case was reported to us, we directed our intervention to the appropriate authority in the person of His Excellency, Governor Ambode.”
She said the governor replied through his Chief of Staff, that the case was being looked into.
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye, could not be reached for comments at press time, as she was said to be away on an official engagement, while calls made to her cellphone were not
picked.
