By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has threatening to sack any worker who fails to report to his office duty post within the next 72 hours.
While noting that he has directed Civil Service Commission and heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies to monitor the workers register for attendance
Gov. Nwifuru made this known while addressing journalists in his office on Monday at New Government House Abakaliki , noted that any civil servants who fails to return to his or her office duty will be replaced within 72 hours
Meanwhile, Governor has vowed to pay workers based on the number of days they work in a month.
The Ebonyi chapter of the NLC, led by Professor Ogugua Egwu, had on Sunday directed workers in the state to embark on the strike, citing the government’s alleged failure to implement the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
According to Egwu, the directive to commence the strike was issued by the NLC national leadership.
However, Nwifuru dismissed the allegations, insisting that his administration was compliant with the National Assembly’s minimum wage act and that workers in the state had been paid their salaries, gratuities, and pensions in full.
Nwifuru described the strike as baseless and vowed to enforce disciplinary measures against any workers who failed to report for duty post.
He said, “We are not owing any worker in this state. We are paying the minimum wage as stipulated by the National Assembly. Every worker is being promoted based on merit. If you fail promotion exams, that is not my fault.”
“If you don’t report to work, not only will I withhold your salary, but I will also replace you within 72 hours. Heads of agencies must ensure attendance records are kept. Salaries will be paid only to those who show up for work, based on the number of days they attend.”
“We will would not negotiate with NLC labour Chairman on this matter,
“I have said it before, and I will say it again: “He is not even a state employee. I will be querying his position as NLC chairman in Ebonyi. His actions are nothing but empty threats,”Gov. Nwifuru said.
Recall, however, the Ebonyi NLC had written to the governor, announcing its plan to embark on the strike from Monday. On Monday, the strike crippled activities at the state secretariat.
