The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has denied claims made by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM, that staff of her agency were kicked out of the new NCC Annex Building/Digital Economy Complex in Mbora, Abuja.
Dabiri-Erewa stated in a recent interview with SaharaReporters that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, ordered security operatives to displace members of staff of NIDCOM from the NCC complex, which the NCC has now refuted in a released statement.
According to the NCC’s statement:
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) clarifies that the alleged eviction of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission from the NCC building did not happen as portrayed. It is important to shed light on the actual sequence of events leading to the relocation of the Diaspora Commission.
Upon completion of the NCC building at Mbora, Abuja, designated as NCC Annex and due to limited office space at the NCC Head Office in Maitama, Abuja, the Commission’s Board directed the decongestion of the Head Office Building.
As some NCC departments had begun moving to the new Office Complex of Five (5) Floors, discussions were initiated between NCC and the Diaspora Commission to allow them to utilize available offices within the Complex. The space initially allocated to them had to be repurposed to accommodate other NCC Headquarters departments. This offer was extended in line with NCC’s belief in agencies collaborating and sharing resources within the confines of relevant laws.
Subsequently, NCC obtained approval for the Commissioning of the Office Complex by President Muhammadu Buhari and the launching of four key projects of the NCC and the Ministry of Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMC&DE). These projects were a result of extensive collaboration, culminating in the Complex being renamed the COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL ECONOMY COMPLEX to align with the government’s digital economy agenda.
The temporary withdrawal of the office offer extended to the Diaspora Commission occurred due to preparations for President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to inaugurate the Communications and Digital Economy Complex. It’s pertinent to note that the Director General of the Diaspora Commission had not taken possession of the offices nor had the Commission commenced using them. Security measures for the presidential visit necessitated controlled access to the Complex, restricting entry to authorized personnel only, including NCC staff.
The Commission has ensured the safekeeping of all properties belonging to the Diaspora Commission in the Complex. Therefore, the claim that the eviction was punitive is unfounded, and the challenges that arose require understanding from all parties involved.
SIGNED:
Dr. Henry Nkemadu
Director, Public Affairs
Nigerian Communications Commission
24 May 2020