Gotel Communications, one of the companies owned by Atiku Abubakar, said the former vice president of Nigeria was not involved in the sack of 46 workers in the organization.
Gotel Communications explained that Atiku Abubakar ceased to be involved in the running of the organization following the consolidation of all his companies under the Priam Group.
The company’s explanation became necessary as its actions generated outrage because the sack of the workers was announced on May 1, International Labour Day.
However, a statement signed by Gotel General Manager, Mohammed El Yakub, stated that the sack of staff was a result of a restructuring exercise, a process that started last year.
“The press statement of December 24, 2019, stressed that owing to the restructuring exercise and merger of companies, some personnel may have to be disengaged.
”It is also not unexpected that a restructuring procedure of this size and nature would come with some likely job rationalisation especially since each of these entities has its own finance, admin, marketing, HR and ancillary support operations which would now be consolidated and undertaken at the group level.
“It should, however, be noted that the current decision to right-size the workforce in Gotel Communication Limited is the climax of the on-going restructuring exercise which was initiated last year.
“It will therefore out of context to ascribe any mundane presupposition for being responsible for the decision to lay off some of the workforce in Gotel Communication Limited.
“Following the unveiling of Priam Group last year, Atiku Abubakar ceased to be involved in the running of the affairs of his companies. The decisions taken so far, and especially as it relates to the rationalisation of staff, is solely a management decision.
“It needs to be restated that we shall, as a responsible organisation, discharge every obligation to the laid-off staff and any other staff that may be involved in the rationalisation exercise of any of the companies under the Priam Group”.
