The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu has described as rational the management’s decision to decongest the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Headquarters in Abuja.
Prof. Moghalu who posted this on his personal X account on Sunday, added that there was no basis for disquiet among the apex bank staffers as was reported.
Moghalu explained that the Lagos Office of the bank was completed and inaugurated about 12 years ago while he was at the Bank, and is currently under-utilised.
He added that apart from the fact that the the number of staff in the Abuja Headquarters is vastly over the health and safety limits of the building, the market entities supervised by the Departments that will be moved to Lagos are mostly in Lagos.
His tweet read thus: “I have seen reports of “disquiet” among some Central Bank of Nigeria staffers over the Bank management’s decision to move some its departments to the CBN Lagos office. I don’t see any serious basis for such “disquiet”.
“A new Lagos Office for the Bank was completed and inaugurated about 12 years ago while I was at the Bank. As far as I can remember, it was under-utilized.
“Meanwhile, the numbers of staff in the Abuja HQ are vastly over the health and safety limits of the building. Moreover, the market entities supervised by the Departments that will move to Lagos are mostly in Lagos. So what’s the problem? Seems a rational decision to me”.
Recall that CBN in an Internal Memo sent to staff pointed out that the current occupancy level of 4,233 has significantly exceeded the optimal capacity of 2,700 designed for the Head Office building, therefore, about 1,533 staff would be moved to other CBN facilities within Abuja, Lagos, and other branches.
The Memo read: “This is to notify all staff members at the CBN Head Office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimize the operational environment of the Bank.
“This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilization of our office space.
“This action is necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the Bank’s structure with its functions and objectives, redistribute skills to ensure a more even geographical spread of talent, and comply with building regulations, as indicated by repeated warnings from the Facility Manager, and the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Decongestion of the CBN Head Office.
“The action plan focuses on optimizing the utilization of other Bank’s premises. With this plan, 1,533 staff will be moved to other facilities within Abuja, Lagos, and understaffed branches.
“Our current occupancy level of 4,233 significantly exceeds the optimal capacity of 2,700 designed for the Head Office building. This overcrowding poses several critical challenges:
“1. Safety Concerns: The building’s infrastructure was designed for a specific number of occupants. Exceeding this capacity has raised safety concerns, increased health and accident risks – and hinders efficient emergency evacuation.
“2. Reduced Efficiency: Crowded workspaces are negatively impacting productivity and collaboration. Additionally, overstretched facilities have led to increased maintenance costs.
“3. Structural Integrity: The building’s integrity can be compromised by exceeding its designed capacity.”
The memo further said the decongestion would also improve the apex bank’s operational and workflow efficiency.
“Strategic alignment: The decision to redistribute departments and staff is rooted in a strategic approach to align the structure of the Bank with its functions and objectives. Certain departments may be better suited to operate in proximity to Financial Institutions’ head offices, which are predominantly located in Lagos. This strategic alignment ensures optimal collaboration and efficiency”, the Memo read.
