Smoke billows from a burning house. The Nigerian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya has accused five local staff members of sabotage following a fire incident that occurred at their offices on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. FILE | AFRICA REVIEW |
By RONNEL ONCHAGWA in NairobiPosted Thursday, September 8 2011 at 17:32
The Nigerian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya has accused five local staff members of sabotage following a fire incident that occurred at their offices on Tuesday afternoon.
In letter signed by the Head of Chancery Adesoye Samotu, the five women employees have been asked to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for failing to assist in putting off the fire.
The letter read in part: “While all home-based staff was battling to save the situation, fighting fire with mission extinguishers, you failed to assist in any way, including helping to contact local fire service, even when you were repeatedly instructed to do so.”
According to Mr Samotu, the five locked their offices and went home while the rest were busy putting off the fire.
He has also accused the employees of gross misconduct, occasioned by sabotage and threats to security and safety of the chancery.
The fire, which broke out at around 4pm (EAT) at the premises from the registry, was finally put off through combined efforts by the mission staff and fire fighters from the Nairobi City Council, among others.
Report to work
When contacted for comment, acting High Commissioner George Agim said: "We still don’t know the cause of the fire. But why is it that the Kenyan media is interested in every small thing that happens at the High Commission? Our media (in Nigeria) would not follow up such issues, when an institution disciplines its staff. We asked them to explain a few issues. Is there a problem with that?''
The women were not allowed into the premises on Wednesday as they were told to reply to the letter and wait for response. They have, however, been advised by officials from Kenya's ministry of Foreign Affairs to report to work daily, even if they are locked out.
No comments:
Post a Comment