Sack: Non-indigenes lament as Abia compiles lists
It’s retrogressive—Ebonyi, It’s irrational—Imo
By Anayo Okoli, Umuahia/Peter Okutu, Abakiliki.
ON AUGUST 25, 2011, Abia State Government issued a circular which directed non-indigenes on its employment to disengage and return to their various states by October 1, 2011. The only exceptions were those engaged in the tertiary institutions.
To give effect to the policy, the circular, HAS/S.0071/II/13 issued by the Head of Service, Mr. G.C. Adiele, directed heads of ministries, departments, agencies and Local Government Service Commission “to submit the names of all non-indigenes in their employ on or before 1st of September, 2011, failure of which or any connivance thereto shall attract strict sanctions by Government”.
Entitled, ‘“Back loading on transfer of non-indigenes in Abia state public service to their states of origin”, the Head of Service said, “I write to convey the approval of the Government of Abia state that all non-indigenes working in the public service of Abia state [including local Governments] be transferred to their states of origin with effect from 1st October, 2011. This policy does not apply to tertiary institutions in Abia state”.
Ever since this policy was announced, there has been confusion in the state’s civil service. The confusion arose mainly because women of Abia extraction who by marriage changed indigeneship are protesting their inclusion. They are arguing that constitutionally, they remained Abians and therefore should not be affected by the exercise. Some of the cited cases where married women take ministerial positions in their states of birth even when they are married in a different state.
Investigation showed that Imo state indigenes would be most affected. This is very understandable because Abia was created from Imo state and it was believed that Abia as a new state lacked enough personnel to propel the new administration, hence they absorbed the workers of Imo origin.
Some of them have put in as much as15 years in Abia’s 20 years of existence. So, the directive devastated them more so when they are not sure of being absorbed by their respective states.
Though Abia state governor said that he consulted with his fellow governors of the South East before the policy was enunciated, the decision no doubt has attracted some criticisms. The criticisms have come from the church, business men, the civil servants themselves and some state governments.
The first attack on the policy came from the Catholic Church. The Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Dioceses, Dr. Lucius Ugorji, in his reaction, condemned the decision, describing it as an “injustice and divisive”.
In a statement he personally signed, Bishop Ugorji said that the-sack-non-indigene policy contravenes Section 42 of the nation’s Constitution in respect of place of origin.
“This policy negates true federalism and constitutes a serious obstacle to our march to nationhood. The spirit of a true nation where citizens have equal rights and opportunity must not be compromised by such divisive policy.
“Most of these individuals have families with children in schools and other dependants. It is obvious that their forced transfer or retrenchment will impact negatively on all these people. Moreover, up-rooting fellow Nigerians from their long-established social networks and economic ties leads to the unsavoury effect of making them feel they are being made aliens in their own country.
“Having served Abia state diligently for decades, it amounts to injustice to compel them to return to their various states of origin that may not have any plans to engage them or provide them with their entitlements.
“Implementation of this policy amounts to discrimination on grounds of place of origin which is a serious contravention of Section 42 [1, 2, and 3] of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. That in the past some states have breached the Constitution in this regard is not a valid reason for Abia State Government to yield to the temptation of committing an illegality. Two wrongs do not make a right.” He called on the Government “to rethink this policy in the interest of justice, fair play and social harmony.”
But the Government maintained that the decision was not to punish anybody, saying that Governor Theodore Orji discussed with fellow South East governors before taking the decision. However, it is not known if there was a promise of any sort by his colleagues to absorb those to be sent back to their state.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Don Ubani, the government has no evil intention in the action. Rather, the government was creating vacancies for its citizens displaced in the North during the election crisis and Boko Haram attacks. But the question is were there Abians working in the Northern state civil service? If there were, how many were they?
Strong as Abia Government wants to defend this policy, at least two states have condemned the action, a situation which casts doubt on the consultation said to have been made by Governor Orji before the policy was released.
Ebonyi and Imo state governments have attacked the action, describing it as capable of disintegrating the unity and oneness of Ndigbo. They both spoke through their commissioners of Information and said that many Abians work in their states. Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi even said that his Government was yet to be communicated on the issue, saying that for now they see it as a rumour, and such action was backward thinking.
The Governor who spoke through the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr. Chike Onwe stated that the issue was still based on rumours, explaining that if implemented, it would not only threaten the corporate existence of Ndigbo but also the well being of Nigerians.
“So disengaging people from service on account of place of origin is backward thinking. But as I said, it is still on the plains of rumour and we don’t react to rumours but to substance.For now it is not true, until it is true the issue will be addressed.
“I think Ndigbo are a united people and we shall not allow anything to disintegrate this unity but I think it will be unfortunate if such a thing happens; it has not happened, it is still on the plains of rumours and until it is made real, we will not take any official stand or action”, the Commissioner said.
Onwe said that the state government would not be part and parcel of any process that would cause disaffection among citizens because of issues bordering on indigenization. He added that non-indigenes in the state were gainfully occupying sensitive positions in the state, even among the state executive council members.
“Since we are talking about true federalism and we cannot achieve such by being sectional or calling some indigenes and some others non indigenes. So for us to achieve true federalism, we must get people to feel at home wherever they are. We are looking at a situation where an individual from Kaduna comes to Ebonyi state and stands for any election and the man from Ebonyi goes to Lagos, stands election and gets elected to serve his term, people. That is where we are aspiring to.
“The position of Abia state government is yet to be made available to the Ebonyi state government but as I said, it is still on the plains of rumour but if that turns out to be true the matter will be looked at collectively by the state executive council and a position will be taken on the matter.
“On the interim, it is still a rumour and we shall treat it as such but I want to inform ourselves that there are Abians and people who are in other states that work in Ebonyi unhindered and un-marginalized, not witch-hunted and we see ourselves as brothers and sisters.”
On its part, Imo State Government reacted angrily to the action, and described the policy as “anachronistic, obsolete and reprehensible”.
Imo state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Obinna Duruji condemned the policy as being “irrational”. According to him, Imo government might be compelled to retaliate by sacking Abia indigenes in the employment of the government.
However, there are two categories of people are yet to know what their fate would be in the exercise. They are Abia women married to non-indigenes and non indigenes who secured appointment through automatic appointment of the NYSC. Some of them have even married indigenes of the state. The women are insisting that constitutionally they remain indigenes of Abia and that any attempt to disengage them would be resisted.
Though the government said the policy took effect from October 1, 2011, those affected are waiting for the letters to move them, as their names have since been compiled. So the letters will tell who and who will leave.
Lamentations
No doubt the affect people have been lamenting what the future holds for them.
A lady who simply gave her name as Cynthia from Imo state described the action of Abia state Government as pure wickedness. “How can a person who calls himself father of all do this type of thing? I have been working here for over 17 years, even in remote village of Isiukwuato. We have been contributing to the development of the state; all of a sudden our reward is to be sent back to our states of origin unprepared.
How do I relocate my five children who are in schools here? This is inhuman and we wonder where the unity of our Igbo people lies. This type of thing does not happen in the North and West. It is only in the East, among Ndigbo. Well we wish Governor T.A Orji well.”
Another woman, a mother of six also from Imo state said that she was still surprised over the whole thing. “I have been working in Abia since it was created 20 years ago. I have contributed to its development. My children are all in school in some parts of the state. Now, tell me, how do I begin to move? To move alone, and shuttle between here and say, my council area, in Ohaji/Egbema? I am still confused. I can’t really understand these people called politicians.
Just few months ago, during the elections, this same governor, while addressing us, assured us that he would not sack any non_indigene. Less than four months after voting for him, our reward was the circular to go. We will go but he should remember God. Our problem is that it was so sudden and nobody was prepared for this sudden dislocation. If he had said by end of next year, all of us would be prepared, afterall, there is nothing special here. It just because of our children.”
Source: Vanguard, 8th October 2011.
Elechi condemns Abia govt over sack of non-natives
From GODDY OSUJI, Abakaliki
Disengagement of non-natives from Abia State Civil Service, by the Abia State Government has been described as a move capable of creating disunity amongst Ndigbo . This was the view of Governor Martin Elechi, who said his government was yet to be communicated officially on such proposition, adding that he would at this stage consider it as mere rumour, except proven otherwise in due course.
The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr. Chike Onwe stated that the issue was still based on rumours, but, however, explained that if implemented, would not only threaten the corporate existence of Ndigbo but also, the wellbeing of Nigerians.
“Disengaging people from service on account of place of origin is backward thinking. But as I said, it is still on the plains of rumour and we don’t react to rumours but to substance. “For now, it is not true, until it is true, the issue will be addressed. I think Ndigbo is a united people and we shall not allow anything to disintegrate this unity but I think it will be unfortunate if such a thing happens it has not happened, it is still on the plains of rumours and until it is made real we will not take any official stand or action”
He stressed the state government would not be part and parcel of any process that would cause disaffection among citizens because of issue bordering on indigenization. He added that non-indigenes in the state were gainfully occupying sensitive position in the state, even among the state executive council members.
“Since we talking about true federalism and we cannot achieve such by being sectional or calling some indigenes and some others non-natives. So for us to achieve true federalism, we must get people to feel at home wherever they are. We are looking at a situation where an individual from Kaduna comes to Ebonyi State and stand for any election and the man from Ebonyi goes to Lagos stands election get elected and serve his term.That’s where we are aspiring to.
“The position of Abia State Government is yet to be made available to the Ebonyi State Government but as I said, it is still on the plains of rumour but if that turns out to be true, the matter will be looked at collectively by the state executive council.
Source: Sun, 7th October 2011.
Ebonyi shuts down five schools
By Ogbonnaya Obinna
THE Ebonyi State government has shut down five private schools operating illegally in Abakiliki, the state capital.
It has also suspended the headteacher of Izzhia Secondary School and two cooks attached to the Pilot Model Boarding School for negligence and gross misconduct.
Commissioner for Education Ndubuisi Chibueze-Agbo, who announced the closure of the schools while monitoring the resumption of schools in the state for the 2011/2012 academic session, frowned at the high level of negligence and misconduct.
The three suspended officials are Gladys Nnachi (School head), Charity Onwe and Mary Nwankwo (cooks attached to the school.)
He said: “The erring workers were not at their duty posts when we paid an unscheduled visit to the school. They are to remain indefinitely suspended, pending the outcome of the report of the panel set up by the ministry to look into their matter.”
The commissioner, frowned at the unwholesome attitude of the workers , stressed that the ministry would not condone the attitude of workers that compromise their duties, especially now that the state government is determined in paying the N18, 000 minimum wage.
“To ensure productivity and efficiency, the Commissioner also directed school heads of pilot schools in the state, who are not residing in their official quarters to relocate to their official quarters or face severe disciplinary action,” it stated.
Agbo said the proprietors of the closed schools failed to follow the laid down procedure in establishing the schools and to provide conducive environments for teaching.
The commissioner warned that the government would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any proprietor that default, adding that the government would no longer tolerate the proliferation of illegal schools in the state.
On his part, the Chairman, Ebonyi state Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Thomas Eze who monitored public schools in Ohaukwu local government Area of the state called on teachers to renew their dedication to duty and noted that the stakeholders had adopted a new strategy to enhance quality of education in the state.
Source: The Guardian, 9th September 2011.
Ebonyi trains 150 youths in food production
By Ogbonnaya Obinna
As part of its youth empowerment and poverty eradication efforts, Ebonyi State Government has sponsored 150 youths in various areas of agriculture at the Songhai Farms in Benin Republic to boost food production.
The state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Samuel Mgbada who disclosed this during the 2011 International Youth Day celebration at the
Abakaliki Township Stadium stated that most of the youth, after their graduation, have since established their individual farms through the financial assistance from the state government.
“Aside from the farming programme, the state government has been providing micro-credit loans ranging from N50, 000 to N300, 000 to other unemployed youths to set up their businesses,” Mgbada noted.
The commissioner stressed that in order to ensure quality education; boarding school system has been reintroduced in the state’s secondary schools with additional classroom blocks put in place.
He noted that the International Youth Day was a day set aside to take stock and critically appraise the condition of youth with a view to planning a better and brighter future for them.
The commissioner declared that the administration of Governor Martin
Elechi has accorded the youth the highest recognition more than any other state, noting that youths are currently occupying one political position or another within the state and at the national level.
In a related development, the government has expressed its determination to do all within its power to return the state to her earlier polio-free status within the shortest possible time.
Governor Elechi made the pledge during the flag-off of the first edition of the quarterly sensitisation campaign on polio at the Women Development Centre (WDC) Abakaliki.
He noted that considering the devastating health implications of poliomyelitis including high child mortality and deformation of children; time had come for all to join hands in order to give the dreaded disease the final push.
Represented by his deputy, Chief Dave Umahi, Governor Elechi, in a speech entitled “Let the Men Stand up to be Counted,” stressed that the theme of the campaign, “Men Against Polio” was a deliberate attempt to draw men, as leaders of families, to take the driver’s seat in the war against polio.
Source: The Nation, 26th August 2011.
Ebonyi to launch blue print on environment
By KENNETH OFOMA, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Commissioner of the newly-created Ministry of Environment, Dr. Paul Okorie, has stated that his ministry will fashion out a blue print to holistically tackle environmental challenges facing the state in two weeks’ time.
Addressing journalists during this month’s sanitation exercise at Abakaliki, the state capital at the weekend, Okorie noted that his ministry would in the meantime embark on three-day intensive clearing of all refuse dumps in the state in order to rid the state of the current mounting of refuse that litter different parts of the state capital, with attendant health hazards.
"The speed with which I start work is the speed I normally end. So, I want to assure that everything is on ground, though not really that we are prepared; we don’t have budget, it’s a new ministry, we don’t have anything on ground yet, we will always make sure that we get to the end at the same speed. The government definitely will support us because the governor understands the importance of environment and we are also not going to fold our hands.
"We are going out to look for the money, we will be working and be looking for the money in the process, everybody must be part of the process, that is for sure; we must remove the refuse and everybody must prepare. The problem we have now is that almost every location we use as a transit refuse dump has been built up; what we are doing right now is ad-hoc, we want to clean Abakaliki first then we sit down and have a blueprint. In the next two weeks or so, we should have a proper blue print on how we want to operate," he said.
Dr. Okorie, an engineer, also said when he was in Ebonyi State Environmental Protection Agency (ENSEPA) seven years ago, each day they were having clean up exercise, he normally had up to 30 tippers coming to assist, because they believed in him, adding that he has not changed and he still remained "ACTION", a nick name he was popularly called. He stated that the house-to-house collection of refuse will be encouraged and sustained with the injection of enough vehicles so that the transit refuse dumps would be decongested.
Responding to questions, the General Manager of ENSEPA, Oke C. Oke, stated that the greatest challenge facing the agency in the past was lack of political will and un-cooperative attitude of residents, but added that with the creation of the Ministry of Environment, government has demonstrated the political will to face the challenge and that with that, finances and equipment will follow, which will in turn launch the state into a new dawn of environmental cleanliness.
In a remark, the State coordinator of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Ignatius Abbah, gave reasons why the agency decided to partner with ENSEPA in this month’s sanitation exercise, adding that blocked drainages and water ways contributed in recent flooding in parts of the country.
He said NOA has trained officers of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade to help in cleaning the environment all over the country.
Source: Daily Champion, 31st July 2011.
Ebonyi accuses contractors of sabotage, threatens sanctions
FROM LEO SOBECHI, ABAKALIKI
FOLLOWING an alleged non-performance and sabotage, Ebonyi State government has declared that it would terminate any contract that does not meet the terms of agreement and blacklist firms that fail to meet completion deadlines.
The state lamented that despite its avowed commitment to timely payment for jobs done by contractors handling its capital projects, most of the contractors have continued to show a lackadaisical attitude to their projects.
Giving the warning at a meeting with contractors in his office, the permanent secretary of Ministry of Lands, Survey and Housing, Mr. Williams Aloh, told the contractors that “the meeting was very timely to inform you that after the grace period, any contractor that does not buckle up would have his contract terminated”.
In February 2008, Ebonyi State government awarded multi-million naira contracts for the construction of roads and bridges as well as mobilization for some inherited projects including building of the Abakaliki International Trade Centre, Ebonyi Five Star Hotel, Administrative block of the state owned University as well as renovation of some classroom blocks and dormitories.
Consequently, the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Housing, the supervisory ministry for most of the projects summoned the contractors to an impromptu where he conveyed the disillusionment and embarrassment of the government pointing out that unlike what obtains at previous meetings, the position of government was to receive their work plan on how to complete the projects which terminal dates had elapsed.
Flanked by various heads of department in the ministry, Aloh said: “We are worried that most of the jobs being undertaken by you are not to the satisfaction of the state government. We wonder what could be the problem because government has been meeting its contractual obligations by ensuring that certificates generated are paid up to date.
“It is also a matter of deep regret that while the government is fulfilling its side of the bargain, you are taking the government for a ride. It is against this background that we called this meeting. People were given jobs based on their reputation but after getting money the jobs are not done according to the terms. Therefore projects not done according to specifications and on time the contractors stand the risk of termination, if after this meeting there is no significant improvement based on performance”.
In his remarks, one of the contractors, Eze Chibueze Agbo, stated that some contractors were backpedaling because of the mode of payment.
Source: The Guardian, 20th July 2011.