Hunpe Explains Reasons for Sacking Non-Pensionable Staff in Badagry

The Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Honorable Babatunde Hunpe, has finally addressed the recent dismissal of non-pensionable staff within the council, clarifying the circumstances surrounding the controversial move. Speaking in a video interview with Bond FM/Radio Nigeria correspondent Mrs. Pentho Francis, Chairman Hunpe confirmed the reports published by Badagry Today but provided a comprehensive explanation meant to dispel misunderstandings and justify the decision.

According to the Chairman, the dismissal was a strategic measure aimed at revamping the local government workforce towards greater efficiency and accountability. He emphasized that the affected employees were mainly those deemed unproductive, ghost workers, or frequently absent without valid reasons. Hunpe stated, “We cannot continue to pay salaries to people who do not justify their pay. For instance, in some Primary Health Centres, more than 20 workers appear on the payroll, yet not a single patient is seen. During my inspection tours, I found instances where workers were nowhere to be found. At one facility, a gate man had abandoned his post, leaving a child to manage the gate,” underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Expanding further in Yorùbá language during a facility tour, Hunpe shared,

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“Mo dé Primary Health Centre kan, mi ì ní tí dárúkọ ẹ̀ nísìnín, básìkò bá tó, màá dárúkọ ẹ̀,… a à rí patient ẹyọ kan níbẹ̀, mo dẹ̀ bèrè, wọ́n ní bóṣe ń rí nìyẹn, wọ́n ní ẹ̀kọ̀ọ̀kan ni àwọn patient máa ń wá, but àwọn tó pàdé mi, tó ń kí mi, tí wọ́n ń ṣiṣẹ́ níbẹ̀, wọ́n tó 20, eight hours ni wọ́n dẹ̀ ń run, kòdẹ̀ sí Doctor láàárín wọn, kòdẹ̀ sí nurse láàárín wọn, ẹ̀yàn wá ń sọ fún èmi pé kí ló dé tí mi ò fiwọ́n lẹ̀ bẹ́ẹ̀, pé kí wọ́n ma gbowó bẹ́ẹ̀.”

This translates to his frustration at seeing many workers on duty but no patients to serve, and no medical professionals among them during long hours of operation.

Hunpe also highlighted that Badagry has 15 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), out of which only four operate 24/7 while the others function on reduced hours and remain underutilized. Such a workforce and service delivery model, he argued, is unsustainable and unjust to the council that strives to meet the increasing needs of its residents.

He dispelled rumors that the sack was a sweeping or punitive action, revealing efforts to rehire some dedicated and productive staff from among the dismissed. “This was not done out of sentiment or routine practice but purely for enhancing productivity,” he declared.

Badagry Today, in its initial coverage, did not oppose nor support the action but faithfully reported public reactions while seeking official comment, which was delayed. The Chairman’s detailed explanation now gives fuller context to the decision.

As the community absorbs this development, the focus shifts to whether the local government’s workforce reforms will translate into improved service delivery and better governance for Badagry.