Public servants in Imo State are feeling uneasy over the re-election of Governor Rochas Okorocha because of his threat to reduce the workforce in ministries and parastatals.
Workers took a position against him prior to the election on April 11, alleging that his administration violated civil service rules.
Promotion of Juniors over seniors
“The worst of it all is a situation where Okorocha will promote a level 14 officer to the position of permanent secretary, leaving a level 17 behind,” a director in the Ministry of Information complained.
Alleged deduction from salary
There are also cases of irregular payment of salary and imposition of 12 per cent deduction in salary across the board yearly.
The deduction was allegedly imposed to fund free education, and Imo Foundation, which the government set up to assist the sick and others in need.
Workers did not celebrate Okorocha’s victory at the state secretariat on Port Harcourt Road Owerri, especially as some commissioners broke the news that he has created a committee to down size officials to enable the government pay salaries.
No sack for now, Ibeh assures
But Information Commissioner, Chidi Ibeh gave an assurance that the government for now is not willing to sack anyone, just that workers may be posted to where they will be more productive.
He advised them not to be partisan but to be patient, as the government does not believe in harassing people.
“Any commissioner or government representative who are in the habit of harassing is workers is on his own,” Ibeh insisted.
He declined comment on the alleged deduction of 12 per cent from workers’ salary to fund social welfare.
NLC warms up for fight
However, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Austin Chilakpo, said government agencies are in a sorry state.
He vowed the NLC will stop Roche, a contractor, from ejecting workers of Imo Palm Plantation (ADAPALM).
He said issues relating to Imo Transport Company, Imo Concorde Hotel, Statesman newspaper, and other parastatals will be discussed with the government.
He described the promotion of civil servants above their seniors as an aberration, a matter that should be taken up by the civil service union.
“What surprises is that these civil servants who know the rules will advise government to change them because they want to be beneficiaries. When it backfires they start complaining,” he said.
Chilakpo warned that the NLC will resist the sack of workers, because “once a civil servant is employed, he is meant to retire, resign or even die while in office which becomes a forceful but natural termination of his or her appointment.
“My advice to workers is come to work early, stay in the office, do your job as detailed by your superiors so that there wouldn’t be any reason to sack anybody.
“Therefore, workers have no reason to panic because Okorocha was re-elected. We are willing to protect workers in line with labour laws and principles governing trade union activities.”
