Amid the biting economic crisis as a result of fuel subsidy removal, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has directed the immediate disengagement of all workers employed in the State Public Service from December 2022 till date.
The governor had sacked 7000 workers in the employment of the State, which was announced by his commissioner for information then.
Although, the governor did not provide any reason for the decision, the announcement contained in a memo addressed to All Commissioners, Heads of Ministries Development and Agencies, and Parastatals which was dated August 31, 2023, and signed by the Head of Service, Lady Joy I. Maduka.
The memo which SaharaReporters obtained on Friday has Ref: HSA/S.0006/IV/08 and is titled: “Disengagement Of Staff Employed From December 2022 Till Date.”
It partly read: “All Commissioners, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, the Clerk/HLS Abia State House of Assembly, the Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, MoJ;
“The Chief Registrar, Judiciary High Court, the Chief Registrar, Judiciary Customary Court of Appeal; the Secretary, Judicial Service Commission; the Director in-charge, CSC; the Director in-charge, LGSC; All Directors in-charge, MDAS; All Heads of Non-Ministerial Departments and All Heads of Parastatals.”
“Following the ongoing reorganisation in the Abia State Public Service and in line with the provision of the Abia State Public Service Rules nos 02801 and 02803. I write to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State has directed the disengagement of all staff employed into the Abia State Public Service from December 2022 till date.
“However, any further directive(s) of His Excellency on this matter shall be communicated in due course.
“Please take appropriate steps to implement immediately and according to His Excellency’s directive,” it reads.