Civil servants in Rivers State have expressed different views on the Federal Government declaration that government workers who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 will not be allowed into government offices.
Some civil servants who spoke to our reporter condemned the plan of the Federal Government. They said it is within their right to decide whether or not to take the Covid-19 vaccine. But another set respondent praised the government for the decision. They said they will go for the Covid-19 vaccination in order to save their lives and jobs.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress says the union will always support government efforts to protect the lives of the citizens but warned that the use of coercion on civil servants is the abuse of power.
The chairperson of the NLC in Rivers State Beatrice Itubo called on the Federal Government to withdraw the order as many Nigerians will challenge them in court.
The NLC chairperson Beatrice Itubo also advised the Rivers State Government not to follow the path of the Federal Government. She asked civil servants however to observe the preventive measures of Covid-19 and stay safe.
In the meantime, a human rights lawyer Henry Okene has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to force all civil servants to take the Covid-19 vaccine.
Bar. Henry Okene told our reporter that the action will violate the rights of civil servants who have different opinions on the vaccines. He explained that in some cases, the rights of the citizens may be limited when it concerns others.
The human rights lawyer Henry Okene however advised the federal government to make a law on the compulsory vaccination before enforcing a directive. He said only law put in place by the national state law makers can limit the rights of individuals.
