Shocking: Nigeria’s Space Centre too broke to make staff ID

The Centre for Satellite Technology Development, one of the centres under the National Space Research and Development Agency, has directed members of staff to personally fund the production of identity cards.
In a circular issued on Monday and pasted on the notice board of the Centre, members of staff were directed to henceforth sponsor their identity card production owing to “paucity of funds”.
The letter, with ref number: CSTD/ADM/41, dated May 21, 2018, signed by Shuaibu A.O, Deputy Director Admin and Finance, on behalf of the Director of the centre, Dr. Spencer Onuh, reads: “I am directed to inform all staff of CSTD that the centre is no longer in a good financial position to fund the production of Staff Identity Cards.
“In view of the above, all staff are advised to personally fund the cost production of their staff identity cards through AP&D (Admin) till further notice.
“This is for your information and strict compliance please.
“Thank you.”
Our correspondent reports that the Centre has less than 500 staff member.
According to Gbenga Omole, a printer at the Area 10 shopping complex in Abuja: “It costs N200 to produce a plastic identity card, but if you want to produce up to 500 cards, then we can give you a discount.”
A staff of the centre who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the practice of staff sponsoring their identity cards production had been in practice for over two years now.
The staff said: “This has been in practice for a long time.
“I have even made my ID Card myself.
“It is unbelievable because the centre does not have to produce ID cards for all staff but only for promoted staff.”