Umahi
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state, Monday announced the sack of more than 1,000 aides for non-performance. Those affected include technical assistants (TAs), senior technical assistants (STAs) and executive assistants (EAs) to the governor.
The governor disclosed this during the swearing-in of three caretaker chairmen of Ikwo, Afikpo North and Ivo LGAs and the coordinator of Ohaozara Development Centre, at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki. He said the dissolution would take effect from August 1, 2020.
The governor, who expressed disappointment at the poor performances of the appointees, said: “It is time to work.” “I have no business with anybody who has an appointment and doesn’t want to work,” said Governor Umahi.
“Let me announce my disappointment at the technical assistants, senior technical assistants and executive assistants. We have over 1,000 of them. Yet, my deputy and I go out of our way in this COVID-19. We have over 360 liaison officers. We have a lot of management committee members. “I don’t know where else you will get a position and go on sleeping and be waiting for an alert (salary). It can’t happen under me. By 1st of August, all Technical Assistants (TAs), Senior Technical Assistants (STAs) and Executive Assistants (EAs) are dissolved,” he said.
The governor said there would be a fresh round of appointments into the positions. He said the dissolved appointees would be given the opportunity to reapply “if they meet certain criteria.”
“One of the criteria is that they must be ready to show their farms and what they achieved in their first appointment.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reported that Umahi, who used the occasion to sign the revised state 2020 budget, thanked God for the conclusion of its process, describing it as stringent, citizens- based and highly Information Communication Technology-compliant.
”The budget, which was reduced from N178 billion to N132 billion, was occasioned by the realities of the times as some sectors such as health and education were reviewed upwards.
”I am categorically declaring that schools in the state will not re-open presently and we have commenced the process of using the communities to clear the primary and secondary schools’ surroundings.
”We shall send medical teams to inspect and do sample testing of teachers while directing that the syllabus of primary and secondary schools be reviewed,” he said.
Chief Francis Nwifuru, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, commended the executive arm of government for its support in ensuring the speedy, even though a painstaking, review of the budget.
He also commended members of the House for their patience and diligence during the review, noting that the House effectively engaged relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for an effective process.
Mr. Orlando Nweze, Commissioner for Finance, said that the budget would be effectively implemented in spite of the uncertainties of the times, noting that it followed laid-down World Bank stipulations.
Additional input from NAN.
