Abia to re-employ dismissed non-indigenes

Following the backlash caused by the decision of Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, two years ago to sack non-indigenes in the state civil service, the state government has announced 'a window of employment' to re-engage the dismissed staff.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Eze Chikamanayo, who briefed journalists at the end of the state executive council meeting yesterday, said all the non-indigenes who re-applied in the new employment opportunity would automatically get a job either in the civil service or as teachers.

The commissioner explained that the non-indigenes were merely asked to transfer their services to their home states during the period Abia was having difficulty coping with huge wage bills due to the implementation of the new minimum wage as well as the disengagement of Abia State indigenes working in some states.

Chikamnayo said the state had recently been witnessing significant increase in its internally generated revenue (IGR) due to the plugging of leakages and the introduction of automated tax payment system.

He said with the enhanced IGR, Governor Theodore Orji had therefore seen the need to create more job opportunities in order 'to ensure greater happiness for the people of the state.'

He said  the job employment opportunities would take care of youths, the hitherto disengaged non-indigenes and the state  indigenes displaced in the northern states due to security problems. The information commissioner said the head of service and the commissioner for education had been directed to work out the modalities for the filling of the job vacancies.

He also said the executive council took a decision for the state to build an airport, adding that a committee headed by the deputy governor, Mr. Emeka Ananaba, had been set up to work out the modalities.

According to him, the implementation/technical committee has been given three weeks to submit its report because 'we want to hit the ground running.'