Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered the
immediate sack of some non-academic staff of the state university and college
of education.
Umahi gave the order in Abakaliki on Saturday while receiving the
report of a committee to review the
activities in the institutions.
“It is not
economically viable for the institutions to recruit adjunct staff in the
non-academic cadre, as the employees will be redundant in their duties.
“It
does not make ‘economic sense’ for the institutions to employ 400 cleaners as
one wonders the scope and nature of work they will be doing.
“We know that the
managements postulated ‘professional sense’ in employing such workers but with
the prevailing economic situation in the country, we should effectively merge
it with ‘economic sense,” he said.
The governor also ordered that promotion of
staff in both institutions be suspended until the visitation panel concluded
its duties.
He also directed the state’s fiscal responsibility commission to
investigate activities in both institutions.
“When we conclude all reviews and
investigations, I am optimistic that we can reduce their tuition fees as
obtained in other states of the South East geo political zone.
“We are unhappy
that our students seek academic pursuits in other states due to high tuition
fees, and we are committed to solving all the problems confronting these
institutions,” he said.
The governor also ordered that the salaries of workers
under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) be paid immediately
provided there was an agreement between the ministry of health and the
concerned local governments.
“The salaries of those who do not have any binding
agreement should also be paid but it must be on equal basis with workers on the
same grade level in other segments of the civil service.
“We have agreed that
workers not enjoying CONHESS due to deficiencies in certificates should be paid
a special ‘hazard allowance to motivate them,” he said.
The Chairman of the
committee, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, noted that it solicited the assistance of all
unions and interest groups for effective discharge of its duties.
Ogbu, a
former deputy governor of the state, noted that the committee urged the unions
to shelve their planned strike and other acts that might disrupt academic
activities in the institutions.
The Chairman of the committee on CONHESS, Mr
Ignatius Unah, noted that most of the workers did not deserve it, as they were
recruited to settle political patronage.
“The case of cemetery workers was most
intriguing as more than 100 workers collect CONHESS when there are non-existent
cemeteries in the state,” he said. VANGUARDNGR
Follow Solenzo Blog on
0 Comments