Crisis Rocks National Theatre As Radio, TV Workers Petition Lai Mohammed, Calls for Suspension of GM
The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria, (RATTAWU), National Theatre chapter, has called for the immediate suspension of its General Manager, Prof. Sunny Ododo, over allegations bordering on misappropriation of funds.
This call for the ouster of Prof Ododo was contained in a statement made available to Legit.ng on Monday, April 2.
Source: Facebook
As contained in the statement, RATTAWU confirmed that it has already petitioned the minister of information, Mr Lai Mohammed.
It also alleged continued intimidation and harassment of staff in the Account, Finance and Audit departments by Prof Ododo following their refusal to assist him in illegally clearing their uncleared deals and retire same.
The petition was signed by the chairman of the chapter, Comrade Habib Usman and its secretary, Comrade Monday Alonge.
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The Union expressed worries and fears over the extent of setback suffered by the National Theatre since the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) began its investigation into the activities of the GM/CEO, Director P&TTS and the Transport officer.
The petition reads in part:
"There has been great wastage in spending government funds without following due process, such as spending over 16 million on the construction of the Marquee with the low-quality standard without approval and the sales of government properties running into Millions without following due process.
"Intimidation, harassment, inducement and divide and rule is the order of the day at the National Theatre.”
In a related development, the concerned stakeholders of the National Theatre reaffirmed its claim of alleged looting of the assets, FESTAC ’77 artefacts and mismanagement of funds of the parastatal by the Prof Ododo led management team.
The stakeholders noted that a series of petitions had earlier been tabled before the antigraft agencies for the prosecution of Prof Ododo.
The stakeholders added:
“We have written several petitions to the ICPC and the EFCC prompting the anti-graft agencies to investigate and prosecute the culprits. The evidences are glaring. Prof Ododo has looted the Central Workshop."
One of the site contractors at the National Theatre who craved anonymity, gave an eye witness account of how historic artefacts were looted at the parastatal.
He said:
“Prior to the commencement of renovation works at the National Theatre, lots of things were in place. I happened to work as a contractor with one of the construction companies at the National Theatre for a fixed period.
During this period, vehicles would come into the premises to be loaded with valuable assets of the parastatals.
A woman identified as Alhaja came into the premises with her vehicle and moved out metal artefacts. We heard it was on the order of the GM.
There was a time they dug the underground cable that supplied electricity to the National Theatre and carted away metal artefacts which they categorised as condemned iron.
The GM has a lot of contractors working for him. They came in with vehicles and trucks and nobody dare question them.
The security guards cannot say anything when they were told that it was GM's order. They stole furniture and historic artefacts used during the FESTAC ’77 without anybody asking questions.”
Source: Legit.ng
