CONDEMNATION AS UMAHI RETIRES 17 PERM SECS TWO DAYS TO HIS EXIT

REPORTERS: AMECHI ODO & CHUKWUBUIKE MADU

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has sacked seventeen Permanent Secretaries to pave the way for appointment of fresh hands that will form part of the incoming administration.

Governor David Umahi announced this during an abridged valedictory session marking the end of the State Executive Council at Government House Abakaliki.

Prominent among those Chief Umahi forcefully retired are Dr. Chris Achi of Ministry of Health and Dr. Ken Uhuo whose last posting was Ebonyi International Market.

He said the state government would retain the services of fifteen other Permanent Secretaries and some Executive Council members to help drive the programmes of the incoming administration.

Some of the Exco members are the State Head of Service, Dr. Rita Okoro; the Special Adviser to the Governor of Welfare and Religious Matters, the Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali; while others, including the Commissioner in-charge of Airport, Dr. Uju Aloh; the Commissioner in-charge of Trade and Investment, Mrs. Chioma Nweze; and the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Obasi Abara; would serve as consultants to the state government for some months.

Meanwhile, many are at a loss why Governor Umahi penned down 17 Permanent Secretaries for forceful retirement.

This is because the Governor did not give the criteria for selecting the affected Permanent Secretaries and leaving the rest.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria shortly after the announcement, a senior civil servant, who pleaded anonymity, condemned the retirement of the Permanent Secretaries.

He alleged that Governor Umahi led administration was unfair to the state civil service.

According to the respondent, most policies and actions taken by Governor Umahi in relation to the civil service was destructive to the system.

Another civil servant, who did not want her name mentioned, said civil servants were worse off in the eight year reign of Governor Umahi.

She accused Umahi as running the affairs of the state as a “sole administrator” and an “Emperor,” pointing out that most civil servant would likely heave a sigh of relief when he leaves office.

According to her, civil servants suffered untold hardship under the Umahi led government as he demoted many in questionable circumstances, withheld salaries of some civil servants without cogent reasons, punished some others without following due process and verifiable reasons, delayed promotion and allowances, including leave allowance.

This is as he subjected pensioners to torturous verification processes without fruitful result, failed to pay their gratuity.

The respondents appealed to the incoming administration not to toe the line of the Umahi led government that resulted in weakening the civil service and polarizing the labour leadership in the state.

They rather urged the Chief Francis Nwifuru in-coming Government to carry civil servants along to help him drive development of the state.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU