Gov Umahi Suspends Perm Sec Over Delay In Workers Salary Payment

The Permanent Secretary of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development has been relieved of his duty for delaying payment of November salary for local government workers.

Naija News understands that the suspension of the government official was contained in a directive issued on Friday by the State Governor, David Umahi.

The statement signed and issued through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kenneth Igwe, also charged the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, the SSA and SA on Local Government and the 13 local government council chairmen to gear up in the delivery of their responsibilities.

Umahi warned the parties to ensure that salaries of workers were paid as and when due henceforth.

The statement read partly: “The Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Chief David Umahi, has noticed with dismay the delay in the payment of local government staff salary for the month of November.

“In view of this, he has directed the immediate suspension of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development and the Accountant, JAAC for one month without salary.”

The statement added that failure to comply with the directives of the governor would attract severe sanctions.

Meanwhile, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) around the Yola zone, Adamawa State, has asked Nigerians to hold the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration responsible for its next strike following its refusal to comply with the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.

Naija News reports that members of the ASUU, Yola chapter, comprised of those at Adamawa State University (ADSU) Mubi, Federal University Gashua (FUGA), Modibbo Adama University (MAU) Yola, Taraba State University (TSU) Jalingo, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), and Yobe State University (YSU) Damaturu.

In a press conference at the NUJ secretariat in Yola on Friday, ASUU Yola Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Reuben Jonathan said it will not accept any plea to shelve the impending strike, adding that their decision is in the best interest of Nigerian universities.