Ebonyi gov sacks over 1,000 aides

More than 1,000 aides of the Ebonyi state government have been relieved of their jobs.

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, who disclosed this on Monday, said the sack would take effect on August 1, 2020.

He announced this in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital, during a virtual swearing-in of some special assistants and caretaker chairmen of local governments.

The governor listed the affected categories of aides to include technical assistants (TAs), senior technical assistants (STAs) and executive assistants (EAs), adding that they were sacked over non-performance.

“We have over 1,000 of you, over 350 LGA liaison officers and several development centres management committee members, yet myself and my deputy threw ourselves ‘in the ring’ on the COVID-19 issue,” he said.

“I don’t know where else you will get a position, where you will just sleep and wait for bank alert.”

The governor noted that the affected aides who wished to re-apply for the positions must be endorsed by a state government’s ministry or department, NAN reported.

“We will hold such ministry or department responsible for you and you must have and show us your farm, if you wish to re-apply,” he said.

“People who were never in these categories of aides should not apply because I will not expand such offices. But if we don’t fill all the positions, we will then call for nominations.”

Umahi, who also spoke on the state’s preparedness for resumption of schools, used the occasion to sign the revised 2020 budget.

“The budget, which was reduced from N178 billion to N132 billion, was occasioned by the realities of the time as some sectors such as health and education were reviewed upwards,” he added.

“I am categorically declaring that schools in the state will not re-open presently and we have commenced the process of using the communities to clear the primary and secondary schools surroundings.

“We shall send medical teams to inspect and do sample testing of teachers, while directing that the syllabus of primary and secondary schools be reviewed.”

Francis Nwifuru, speaker of the state house of assembly, commended the executive arm of government for its support in ensuring speedy review of the budget.