DICON Refutes Allegations of Staff Exclusion in 2024 Promotion Exercise
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has dismissed claims of excluding certain staff from the 2024 promotion list, calling the allegations misleading and baseless.
This was stated by the Deputy Director of Information and Media, Maj. Haruna Sani, in a press release issued on Tuesday in Kaduna.
Sani addressed the allegations published by an online media outlet on October 14, which accused DICON leadership of barring some employees from promotions due to their participation in an April staff protest.
“The management of DICON has noted these unfounded claims and urges the public to disregard them,” he stated.
He clarified that DICON’s promotion and disciplinary processes are handled by independent senior and junior staff committees, which consist entirely of civilians, with no representation from the Armed Forces.
“The role of the Director General (DG) and DICON management is merely to approve the committees’ recommendations based on objective assessments,” Sani said.
Addressing the enrollment of staff in the Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPS), Sani noted that this responsibility falls under the Federal Government, not DICON.
“Any claims that staff members have not been enrolled into IPPS show a misunderstanding of how the system operates,” he added.
Sani also dismissed allegations of tribalism against DICON’s leadership, pointing out the DG’s diverse team, which includes individuals from various states across Nigeria.
“The DG’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness is well-known, and these accusations are without merit,” he said.
Regarding the exclusion of 46 staff members from the promotion list, Sani explained that these individuals had previously faced disciplinary actions for absenteeism and violations of the DICON Act 2023.
“Their exclusion was based on disciplinary grounds, not their involvement in a protest,” he noted.
Sani also refuted claims that a fire at the DICON factory in March 2023 was orchestrated to divert attention from staff grievances, calling the accusation “ludicrous.”
On the issue of wage arrears, he emphasised that the responsibility lies with the Federal Government, and that DICON has submitted all necessary documentation for approval.
In conclusion, Sani described the allegations as a calculated attempt to tarnish DICON’s reputation and urged the media to adhere to professional standards in reporting.
He called on DICON staff to remain committed to the corporation’s objectives and uphold public service regulations.