The Association of Nigeria Railway Senior Citizens (ANRSC) has expressed concern that over 50,000 former workers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) are currently homeless or facing eviction from their official quarters. This is due to the NRC Management's refusal to implement a 2004/2005 Monetization Policy of the Federal Government. The policy aimed to relieve the government of the financial burden of maintaining government quarters, vehicles, and domestic staff across the country.
According to the National Chairman of ANRSC, Comrade Segun Esan, the Monetization Policy was introduced for two major reasons: to relieve the government of the financial burden of maintaining government quarters and to provide homes for federal government workers and their families. The policy directed that government quarters be sold to occupants on an owner-occupier basis at discounted and affordable prices. The policy has been implemented in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the federal government, but not in the NRC.
Comrade Esan stated that the past Management of the NRC commenced the implementation of some parts of the monetization process, monetizing and sharing vehicles and furniture, but denied retirees their quarters under the same policy. He described this as selective justice and oppression. Successive Managements since 2004 have sold quarters secretly to third parties or leased them out at exorbitant rates, while legal occupants – retirees – are being evicted.
In 2016, Honourable Justice Babatunde Adejumo delivered a landmark judgment in favor of ANRSC, affirming that retirees are entitled to own their quarters under the Monetization Policy. However, the NRC Management appealed the judgment and has kept the case in the Court of Appeal since 2016. Comrade Esan appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the implementation of the monetization policy, allowing retirees to own their quarters.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation was once the highest employer of labor in Africa, with over 50,000 workers spread across various districts. These workers created millions of families across the country, forming a critical voting population in every state of Nigeria. The non-implementation of the Monetization Policy has led to immense hardship for retirees, who are now facing homelessness.
The ANRSC is urging President Tinubu to intervene in the matter, citing his reputation as a compassionate and just leader. The association believes that the implementation of the monetization policy will provide relief to retirees who have been unfairly denied their right to own their quarters. The policy will also enable the government to focus on providing rail transport services to the nation.
The issue has far-reaching implications for the welfare of retirees and the nation's railway system. The ANRSC's appeal to President Tinubu highlights the need for government intervention to address the plight of former railway workers. The implementation of the Monetization Policy will go a long way in resolving the issue of homelessness facing over 50,000 former railway workers.
Key points
- The Association of Nigeria Railway Senior Citizens is seeking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's intervention to implement the 2004/2005 Monetization Policy.
- Over 50,000 former railway workers are facing homelessness due to the non-implementation of the policy.
- The policy has been implemented in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the federal government, but not in the NRC.
