Staff of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission have expressed frustration about their redundance following the Supreme court judgment that nullified the NLRC Act of 2005.
Until the apex court’s ruling, the NLRC had the authority for the regulation of lotteries in Nigeria but the commission’s staff have been redundant since the suit brought in 2008 by Lagos and other states of the Federation was decided.
That suit challenged the Commission’s powers to regulate lottery activities and a seven-member panel of the court in a unanimous judgment, held that the National Lottery Act 2005 should indeed no longer be enforced in all states, except the Federal Capital Territory in respect of which the National Assembly is empowered to make laws.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, the apex court held that the National Assembly lacked the powers to legislate on issues relating to lottery and games of chance.
The panel agreed that such powers only reside with the state Houses of Assembly, which possess exclusive jurisdiction over lottery and games of chance and other related issues.
The panel agreed that such powers only reside with the state Houses of Assembly, which possess exclusive jurisdiction over lottery and games of chance and other related issues.
Some staff of the commission narrated their frustration, describing how they go to work daily, only to be redundant and being forced to sleep as there is nothing for them to do. They expressed their concerns over their current state of inactivity and urged the federal government to promptly intervene by facilitating their redeployment to other agencies.
One of the workers who did not want the name mentioned told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that although they go to work daily and are still being paid their monthly salaries but are concerned about their future.
“I am appealing to our mother ministry and the Federal government to promptly intervene,” one of them was quoted as saying.
In the same vein, another worker who also pleaded anonymity, said they were in a state of confusion as they do not know the next step to take.
“Of a truth, anything that has to do with Supreme Court is irreversible. The whole issue is now in the hands of government to decide the fate of the workers of the commission””.
A management staff member of the commission said their Director-General, Lanre Gbajabiamila had written a letter to President Bola Tinubu and other relevant authorities, requesting their intervention in the redeployment of workers to other government agencies.
“The erstwhile DG has written to the President and copied the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, regarding the redeployment.
“We are now waiting for the Presidential directives,” the management staff member who equally pleaded anonymity said as they look forward for the matter to be addressed by the appropriate office.
