The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has said he has no intention of sacking any employee in the state.
Otti said this while speaking to the media on Friday in Umuahia.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the state’s civil service for optimal performance and productivity.
He emphasized that the timely payment of salaries has already contributed to greater efficiency.
The governor said: “I don’t know where this is coming from. There is no such thing as mass layoffs. We didn’t even think about it. Nothing is expected.
“As I said, we do not have such a plan. We must continue to ensure that our civil service improves and productivity increases, especially now that before the end of each month they are paid (civil servants), so there is no excuse for absenteeism.
He attributed workers’ fear of layoffs to guilt stemming from bad work habits. Otti therefore warned civil servants accustomed to absenteeism that absence would no longer be tolerated under the current administration.
He added: “We told the people who were not going to work that our administration will not tolerate absenteeism and that if they are afraid, it is probably their fault. There are no mass layoffs on the horizon .”
Addressing the problem of workers laid off from the state service due to non-membership in previous state administrations, Otti expressed satisfaction that a number of those affected have been re-engaged.
He also revealed that his administration was currently reviewing the cases of the few remaining disengaged workers with a view to reintegrating them into the state workforce.
The governor reiterated his commitment to a non-discriminatory government, emphasizing that all those who contribute to the state, regardless of their background, will be treated equally.
He added: “As a person, I believe that people should not be judged or treated fairly or unfairly based on their history. That is why in our administration there are people who do not come from this state who were appointed.
“The reason is simple: once you live in Abia, you are from Abia, that is our principle. You live here, you pay your taxes here, you are involved in everything we do, so we will treat you as part of us. This is a government that does not discriminate.
“As a general rule, I treat people the same, even if you are from the north and live here. On this basis I say that we will examine the cases of all those who have been laid off because of their origin.
“Currently we are looking at these few cases, they are not many. We cannot do much for those who are not here with us, but those who are with us we look positive.”
