‘Why We Reviewed Sack Of Non-Indigenes

The Chairman of Abia Civil Service Commission, Mr Harley Onuoha, has attributed the review of the disengagement of non-indigenes from the state civil service to the “unintended consequences of the policy.”

Onuoha told newsmen in Umuahia last Wednesday that the policy attracted a lot of negative criticisms from a cross-section of Nigerians, “as if this is the first time such a policy had been taken in the country.”

He said that some of the disengaged workers “have started trickling back,” following “the magnanimity of the governor to review the policy,” adding that those from Edo had said that they were not returning.

“Any of the affected workers that is willing to come back has to indicate in writing through the Permanent Secretary of the commission,” the chairman said.

Onuoha explained that the commission had written to state commissions of the affected workers over the new directive.

He declined comments on why the governor decided to exclude affected workers from the sister-states in the South East.

The state government recently issued a circular recalling the sacked of non-indigenes, except those from the south east.

Onuoha said that female workers of Abia origin, married in any of the affected South East states, popularly refered to as “Umuada” in Igbo parlance, “will need to get exemption from the governor to be re-absorbed.”

He recalled that Abia indigenes in Cross River and Imo states had been sacked at different times in the past.

Onuoha alleged that Abia indigenes in Imo “are not allowed to head any government establishments,” saying that Rivers state still has a policy against the recruitment of non-indigenes.

He said that worse discriminations existed in other states of the federation, where, according to him, non-indigenes are still being engaged as contract staff members.

The chairman also reacted to the media report on the threat by the Rivers State Government to backload 500 Abia indigenes in its civil service.

“The state government will know what to do if Rivers state decides to retaliate by sending back Abia indigenes in its civil service.

“We will have to verify the names of the 500 Abians said to be in the Rivers state civil service to ascertain that they are Abia indigenes as was claimed,” Onuoha said.

He explained that some communities in Rivers State such as Oyigbo and Etche, bear Igbo names while their cultures were also similar to those of Abia.

Meanwhile, the commission chairman has given an assurance that due process would be followed by the government to fill the vacancies that would result from the disengagement policy.

Onuoha denied the speculations that the positions were being filled secretly, saying the vacancies would be advertised in the media and that the civil service rule on recruitment would be strictly followed.

“Job recruitment has become sensitive that you cannot afford to engage in any shady deals,” he said, adding that “this is a democracy and people are watching you.’’