Abia Recalls Disengaged Workers

The disengagement of non-indigenes from Abia Civil Service has taken a new dimension with the recall of affected persons outside the South, East geopolitical zone.

In a circular No. HAS/SA.0071/II/104 dated Nov. 14, 2011 and signed by Mr Godson Adiele, the Head of Service, stated that the policy was restricted to workers from South, Eastern states.

The letter addressed to the Chairman, Abia Civil Service Commission and entitled, ‘Disengagement of non-indigenes in Abia State Public Service to their states of origin’ reads:

“I refer to the above subject matter and inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State has approved the exemption of non-indigenes from other states that are not in the South East geographical zone from the policy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the policy is now limited to South, East geographical zone.“

It will be recalled that the State Government on Oct. 1, disengaged all non indigenes from its workforce, citing pressure of the new minimum wage as reason.

Those affected were stopped from parading themselves as civil servants in the state and their names removed from the payroll.

No fewer than 4,000 disengaged persons were documented to assist them to get jobs in their states.

The state government had set up a committee to review the veracity of the exercise and suggest better ways of implementation.

Our correspondent reports that the current stance was a departure from the governor’s position that the policy was irreversible.

Orji had while briefing newsmen in Umuahia warned his aides not to make further comments on the issue “because this is government’s policy and it is irreversible.

“It is now in the past and we are not going backwards.“