Ebonyi state Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi has reinstated suspended government appointees in the state.
Umahi had three days ago slammed suspension on his appointees – including Coordinators of Afikpo North Local Government Area (LGA) and Ivo Development Centres (DCs), the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development.
The governor also slashed the salaries of all political appointees from the affected LGAs, among others, for failing to effectively monitor some borders and entrances into the state, against the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic and ban on inter-state travels.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, and made available to Blueprint Wednesday night, after a special Security Council meeting held earlier in the day, said the governor preferred to be magnanimous.
The meeting had in attendance members of the meeting state security council, members of the state anti-coronavirus committee, council chairmen, leadership of coordinators’ forum and the chairman of traditional rulers council.
The statement by Barr. Orji who doubles as the acting Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, reads in part: “The governor of Ebonyi state, His Excellency Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, in a broadcast held after the Security Council meeting, directed that all suspensions placed on government functionaries, including those of the state Executive Council members and Coordinators of Development Centres, are hereby lifted.
“All persons placed on half salaries and other government functionaries placed on working suspension for not conforming to the state government’s directives have been graciously pardoned by the governor. However, all office holders, who fail to carry out their official duties diligently, shall henceforth be removed from office.”
Reacting on the development, a community chieftain from Afikpo, Hon. Charles Uche Oko, said, “the reinstatement is an epic disgrace to those whom the hitherto suspended appointees had handed over to few hours before their reinstatement.”
