I must confess it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the irregularities taking root at the Oyo State Pacesetter Transportation Services. For some time now, I have watched with growing concern the disturbing conduct of the sole administrator of the agency, Hon. Oladeji Dikko Salami. It is quite unfortunate that Salami, a mere political appointee, now behaves like an overlord over public servants under his authority.
Just some few months ago, he was at the centre of public controversy over allegations of high-handedness and financial mismanagement. In response, the Oyo State House of Assembly ordered a comprehensive investigation into his conduct after it was alleged that he recruited over 100 staff without proper approval; a blatant abuse of governmental process.
The House Committee on Transportation confirmed that these recruitments were arbitrary and also pointed out the absence of a legal framework guiding the agency’s operations (which is quite lamentable). This administrative vacuum has made it easy for the sole administrator to act without accountability. However, despite these findings, the same House of Assembly later cleared Salami of all wrongdoing; a baffling and contradictory move that raises serious questions about the credibility of the Assembly’s oversight process.
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Now, Salami has begun issuing disengagement letters to members of staff, using “organisational restructuring” as justification. According to the letter, the action is based on a resolution of the House of Assembly on staff audit. Curiously, the same letter asks affected staff to reapply for any suitable role within 24 hours; a confusing and contradictory message.
This action is not just inconsiderate; it is unjustifiable. Many of the disengaged staff have served the company for years. If there truly was a staff audit, the public deserves to see the report. The agency is publicly funded, and any reform must be transparent and accountable. The sole administrator must give clear reasons for this mass disengagement and explain why no alternative options were explored.
In most organisations, genuine restructuring focuses on staff development, not mass retrenchment. Workers are usually trained, upskilled, and prepared for transition into new roles. The fact that this basic principle was ignored reveals the administrator’s lack of foresight and competence. Dismissing workers without effort to retool or retain them signals failure in leadership and a lack of genuine commitment to reform.
We must also ask: if a new operational model is introduced tomorrow in the transportation sector, will the agency again sack workers and hire new ones? This cyclical waste of human resources reflects poorly on the agency’s planning. Salami’s style of administration shows no sign of strategic thinking or concern for long-term institutional stability.
This action has already embarrassed the State government. The Governor must now intervene to protect the integrity of his administration and ensure job security for those affected. Government jobs are not to be treated like political favours to be revoked at will.
Also, the Oyo State House of Assembly must accept responsibility for its failure to act decisively. It cannot claim to have found the sole administrator guilty of misconduct and later turn around to clear him without explanation. Such inconsistency weakens its credibility and erodes public trust in democratic institutions.
To avoid further damage, the Assembly must now take legislative action to establish a legal and institutional framework to guide the operations of the Pacesetter Transport Company. Without this, the agency will remain vulnerable to abuse, and the staff will continue to suffer the consequences of unstable leadership.
In conclusion, this issue is not just about the disengagement of staff, it is about abuse of power, failure of oversight, and the erosion of public accountability. The actions of the sole administrator are a disservice to the workers, the State, and the principles of good governance. It is time for the Governor, the House of Assembly, and the general public to demand accountability and ensure that such reckless decisions do not go unchallenged.
The government must act to reinstate affected staff, investigate the processes that led to their disengagement, and hold accountable those who misuse public office. The Pacesetter Transport Company should be a model of efficiency and fairness, not a stage for reckless administration.
Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI) writes from Ibadan, Nigeria.
