Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has dispelled rumors of an impending mass retrenchment within the State’s Civil service, assuring that no such plan is in place.
Governor Otti gave the assurance at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, during the Monthly Media Parley with Journalists tagged “Governor Otti Speaks”.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing the State Civil Service for optimal performance and productivity, noting that the timely payment of salaries has already contributed to greater efficiency.
“I don’t know where that is coming from, there is nothing mass retrenchment, We’ve not even thought about it. There’s nothing in the pipeline. Like I said, we don’t have any such plans.
“We will continue to ensure that our civil service is enhanced and productivity goes up particularly now that before the end of every month, they (civil servants) get paid so there is no excuse for truancy anymore“, the Governor said.
Governor Otti attributed fear of retrenchment among workers to guilt stemming from poor work habits, and warned civil servants accustomed to absenteeism that truancy would no longer be tolerated under the present administration.
“People who were used to not going to work, we told them know that our administration does not tolerate truancy and so if they are afraid, maybe they’re guilty. There’s no mass retrenchment in the pipeline”, he remarked.
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Governor Otti who reaffirmed his commitment to workers’ welfare, said that the state government is awaiting the Federal Government Labour Committee’s decision on the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage before the state adopts it
He disclosed that the state’s Accountant General has been instructed to begin payment of salary arrears owed to ABSU staff starting in August and promised to investigate the reasons behind the delay in executing the directive.
Governor Otti used the forum to address the issue of unpaid pensions to BCA retirees since November last year, assuring that he will engage with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter.
The Governor, while addressing the issue of disengaged workers in the state civil service due to non-indigeneship during former Governor T.A. Orji’s administration, expressed satisfaction that a number of those affected have been reengaged.
He further revealed that his administration is currently reviewing the cases of the remaining few disengaged workers, with the aim of reintegrating them into the state workforce.
Governor Otti underscored his commitment to a non-discriminatory government, and stressed that everyone regardless of their place of origin, who contributes to the state should be treated equally.
“As a person, I believe that people should not be judged or should not be treated fairly or unfairly based on where they come from and that is why in our administration, there are people who do not come from this state that have been given appointments.
“The reason is simple; once you live in Abia, you are from Abia, that is our own principle. You live here, you pay your tax here, you are involved in everything that we are doing, then we must treat you as part of us.
“This is a government that does not discriminate. As a policy, I treat people equal. Even if you’re from the North and you live here.
“It is on that basics that I say, anybody who was disengaged because of where they come from, we are looking at the cases. As we speak, we are looking at those few cases, they’re not much.
“There is not much we can do about those who are not here with us (deceased) but those with us, we will look at their cases positively”, the Governor noted.
