Abia govt recalls sacked non-Igbo workers

CHUKS ONUOHA 

Following the public outcry and wide condemnation of his recent indigenization policy, which led to the sack of non-natives in the state civil service, the Abia State Government has recalled non-natives from outside the South-east geo-political zone, to return to their duty posts.

It also asked those corps members, employed for their exceptional performance after their primary assignment in the state to return to work, stating that they were initially not supposed to be affected by the policy.


The Chief Press Secretary to  Governor  Orji, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, who disclosed this to newsmen in Umuahia said the issue of non-natives was taken in the best interest of the state and its people after due consultation with stakeholders of the state.


He noted that the decision of the state governor did not go down well with some people and groups within and outside the state, hence the setting up of  a committee headed by the Attorney-General to look into some of the issues raised.

The committee is currently doing its work, but the governor decided to take some actions because of his humane nature by recalling the corps members, who were given automatic employment by the state after doing exceptionally well during their service year, the CPS said. 

He said further that the governor, after considering these set of people and others like them, decided to ask them to return to their duty posts, while awaiting the action or recommendation of the committee on the non-natives. 

Emezue explained that the governor had also directed that those non-natives who were earlier sent packing and are from outside the South-east zone should come back to their duty posts immediately. 

Some  mistakenly sent packing from the state and their duty post and others like them have been asked to resume work, while the committee is still doing their work where they will consider other matters concerning the non-natives issue.

Emezue also noted that the action of his boss to personally reconsider some categories of workers earlier sent packing was a sign that he was a true statesman and that he had the interest of the people at heart and called for understanding of the government policy. 


According to him, Governor Orji had always made it clear that the decision to send non-natives back to their states of origin was a painful one and that it was taken because of the high wage bill caused by the new minimum wage, which the state could no longer carry, adding that he has no need to apologize to anybody or group of people.