The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has called on the Lagos state government to immediately reverse the termination of 405 permanent staff members of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC). The disengagement, allegedly due to redundancy, has sparked outrage and accusations of privatization agendas.
According to the RDI, the recent dismissal of 405 LWC employees, carried out by the new management led by Engr. Tijani Muktar, is seen as a strategic move to pave the way for the privatization of water resources in Lagos. The organization contends that the terminations, issued without prior notice or compliance with labor laws, are unjustifiable and violate established protocols.
The disengagement letters, distributed on April 15, 2024, caught the affected employees off guard, leaving them without recourse to proper legal channels or union representation. RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, condemned the action, describing it as a thinly veiled attempt to silence vocal opponents of the privatization agenda within the corporation.
“We refuse to be hoodwinked,” Jakpor asserted. “This purported disengagement of LWC staff under the guise of redundancy is a smokescreen to advance the privatization scheme of the Lagos government by purging the corporation of dissenting voices.”
“We make bold to say that since the assumption of office of the current Managing Director of the LWC, Engr. Tijani Muktar in July 2023 the privatization agenda of the Lagos government has accelerated in pace. Attempts at removing the vocal champions of pro-people water policies will not stop the resistance to water privatization.”
Jakpor emphasized the need for dialogue and inclusive engagement to address the crisis facing the water corporation, advocating for democratic management of water systems as a viable solution. He underscored the importance of upholding labor laws and respecting workers’ rights, citing Section 20 of the Labour Act as a guide for proper redundancy procedures.
“Section 20 of the Labour Act explicitly outlines the proper procedures to be followed in cases of redundancy. Clearly these rules have not been followed.”
“Our stance remains unchanged,” Jakpor declared. “The solution to Lagos’ water crisis lies in participatory, publicly-managed systems that ensure equitable access for all. The dismissal of advocates for this vision will not deter our commitment to resisting water privatization.”
The timing of the dismissals, amidst reports of a reduced staff count and operational challenges within the LWC, further raises suspicions of ulterior motives. With the corporation’s workforce dwindling to less than 100 statewide, concerns about service delivery and public accountability have been amplified.