About 14 Ministers under Former President Goodluck Jonathan will not receive any severance package from President Muhammadu Buhari administration because they have allegedly failed requirements of benefiting from such.
Most of the 36 new ministers reportedly inherited decrepit offices and empty treasuries, making it difficult for them to settle down for work.
The ex-ministers will lose their severance package because they have spent less than two years in office. Most of those affectedbarely spent a year in office.
The Ministers affected include Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos)-Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II; Mr Kenneth Kobani (Rivers)-Minister of State for Trade and Investment; Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa).
Minister of Information; Nicholas Akise Ada (Benue)- Minister of State for Foreign Affairs I; Augustine Akobundu (Abia)- Minister of State for Defence; Fidelis Nwankwo (Ebonyi)-Minister of State for Health; Hauwa Lawan (Jigawa)-Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs and Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya (Taraba)-Minister of Labour and Productivity.
Mr Benjamin Osita Chidoka (Aviation); ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau (Minister of Education); Steve Oru (Minister for the Niger Delta); Prince Clement Adeyeye (Minister of State for Works); and Abdul Bulama (Minister of Science and Technology) and Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman(National Planning).
A clause in their appointment clearly states that “Severance Allowance of 300 %of Annual Basic Salary payable after full tenure of office with government. The allowance will be pro-rated after a minimum of two years tenure.”
Spokesman for the Jonathan cabinet, ex-Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman claimed that “To the best of my knowledge, most ministers returned their official vehicles. The necessary handover procedures were fully complied with.
“If there is any issue in a ministry, you can bring it up and we will crosscheck the facts for you.
“It is also true that some of the former ministers will not get severance package because they did not stay in office for two years.
“And as for those entitled to severance package, not all of them have been paid. This is to show you that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan did not abuse the privilege of office. Unlike previous administrations, Jonathan did not give his ministers any exit bonanza or package.”