The labour crisis rocking the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan,Oyo State capital took a new dimension on Sunday when the governing board suspended four directors for allegedly fuelling the four month- old crisis.
The board in a communique signed by the its chairman, Chief Francis Fadahunsi and other members, noted that the directors were suspended till further notice for flouting the orders of the Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
The sacked directors were Dr Feyisara Okelana (Director Production and Substations),Dr Tayo Fedemi (Director Planning and Training), Dr Emmanuel Aigbekaen (Director Farming Systems Research and Extention) and Mr Joseph Babafemi (Director Administration and Supplies).The board directed that some assistant directors to fill their vacant positions on acting capacity till the governing board deems fit.
It observed that there was the need for a thorough staff auditing in order to fish out ghost workers and ascertain the actual strength of the institute and its substations in Ibeku, Uhonmora, Owena, Mayo Selbe and Kusuku Manbila, Ajassor,Ochaja.
"To properly conduct the staff audit, the following will be required to be supplied by each staff. These shall include: Primary school leaving certificate, secondary school certificate or equivalent, tertiary level certificate duly authenticated, age declaration of not less than two years or an affidavit sworn at the Federal High Court or High Courts, evidence of state of origin, any document of change of name,NYSC certificate or a letter of exemption" the governing board explained.The board also authorised that the sum of N168 million to be spent on capital projects, stressing that N85 million would be expended on the 21 major research projects of 2012 and 2013.
According to the communique, they advised the Executive Director, Professor Malachy Akoroda to be more sensitive and proactive in handling all cases concerning staff of the institute.
