Crisis Rocks Delta Assembly Over Forceful Transfer Of 30 Employees

Asaba Feb 06 (THEWILL) - An internal crisis is said to be currently rocking the Delta State House of Assembly following the decision of the House leadership to forcefully transfer about 30 civil servants to remote local government areas across the state.

The transfer we authoritatively learnt is being used to remove from the Assembly workers who the House leadership perceive to be threat to their irregularities.

It was reliably gathered that the Deputy Clerk of the House Mrs. Lyna Ocholor whose name appeared on the transfer list was over night removed as a result of pressure from certain quarters while others were left on the list to be transferred.

According to Assembly sources, despite the Head of Service, Dr. Sam Okpokpor's advice against the transfers, the House leadership after mounting pressure on the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Udughan, got the list approved even when no offence was committed by those being transferred.

The transfer letter seen by THEWILL was from the office of the Head of Service with reference number (HOD/pm/26/T4/69), signed by the Permanent Secretary, one I. V. Okwuone and titled: “Redeployment of House of Assembly Staff” has the Deputy Clerk's name as member 25 on the list.

Some of those affected by the directive told THEWILL that it is against the provision of the public service rule.

A reliable source from the office of the Head of Service who pleaded anonymity told our reporter in confidence that the speaker, Martin Okonta and principal officers of the House pressurized the governor who later forced her boss to immediately enforce the transfer which the source said is against the service rule.

All effort to contact the speaker of the House, Mr. Martin Okonta and the Head of Service approved abortive while the Clerk, Mr. Raymond Yavbieri when contacted declined comments saying he must get clearance from the speaker before making any comments on the matter.

As at the time of this report, there was tension amongst civil servants in the House as all effected workers have refused to obey the transfer order.