70 unabsorbed NSCD volunteers petition Senate

Seventy unabsorbed volunteers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCD) in Anambra State, who are yet to be absorbed have reportedly petitioned the Senate President, David Mark, to prevail on the organisation's Commandant-General and Minister of Interior to absorb them.

Special Assistant, Public Affairs to David Mark, Victor Abang acknowledged the receipt of the petition sent through their counsel, Obele Chuka, hinting that Mark has referred the matter to the Chairman of Senate Committee on Interior for further necessary action.

In the letter, the petitioners told the Senate President that they were enlisted as volunteers and later regularized even before the National Assembly Act formally establishing the body was enacted.

Since then, they said, they have discharged their duties creditably and dutifully assigned to them as officers and men, resulting in some of them being issued a warrant of promotion.

When the Act formally establishing NSCDC was enacted in 2003, these officers and men were assured of being transferred to the Corps on the same terms and conditions they were at the time of the legislation based on the strength of the clear provision of Section 26 (5) of the Act.

Unfortunately, as time passes by, they alleged that the Authorities of NSCDC began to reabsorb few who were either “connected” or allegedly paid some fees, a development which made them to complain even as they continued with their duties.

After the complain, they were told that their re-absorption had been regularized and they were paid salaries, but their joy was short-lived as their salaries were stopped without notice.

They said that their colleagues in most States of the Federation were absorbed by virtue of the Act, which is mandatory provision which does not allow NSCDC or the Ministry of Interior to transfer members under their own terms and conditions less favourable than those obtained before the commencement of the Act.

They argued that Justice G.O. Kolawale of Federal High Court Abuja in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/100/2010 in the case of Nnoke Kalu Anyah VS NSCDC affirmed the mandatory nature of section 26 (5), when he ordered the immediate transfer of Anyah to the Corps on terms and conditions not less favourable than those obtained immediately before the commencement of this Act.

They therefore urged the Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker to direct NSCDC and the Ministry of Interior to with immediate effect transfer them to the Corps as well as pay them the arrears of salaries and other emoluments.