The Abia State Government has vehemently denied recent reports claiming the mass dismissal of 10,000 civil servants within the state, terming these allegations as entirely baseless and fictitious.
Addressing the issue in a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, clarified that these reports are nothing but misinformation.
“The report suggesting that Governor Alex Otti has terminated the employment of Abia workers is utterly false and without foundation,” Kanu asserted.
Kanu further explained that the state government had taken several measures to address the problem of ghost workers in its ongoing efforts to streamline the civil service. As part of this initiative, the government has removed the names of non-existent employees from its payroll.
“In our pursuit to cleanse the civil service of fraudulent practices, some individuals who were found to have been irregularly employed were also affected,” Kanu added. This category includes individuals who were hired between December and April of the current year.
The Commissioner highlighted that some of these civil servants had their appointment letters retroactively issued, which suggests irregular and questionable practices in their hiring. “This employment can only be described as underhanded and was evidently an attempt to create undue pressure on the current administration. No responsible government can tolerate such circumstances,” Kanu emphasized.
Additionally, Kanu clarified that no waivers were requested for the employment of workers during the period from December to April. He reiterated that there are well-established procedures for hiring civil servants in Abia State, and it is essential to follow due process. He urged the residents of Abia to dismiss the unfounded rumors about the alleged dismissal of 10,000 workers.
The Commissioner also reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of both current workers and retirees. He assured the public that the government remains dedicated to settling all salary and pension arrears, underscoring their dedication to the well-being of all civil servants in the state.