Okorocha Under Fire As NLC Asks Workers To Ignore Sack Order

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Owerri

The organised labour in Imo state has declared war on Governor Rochas Okorocha, over his recent sack of over 3,000 civil servants in the state, just as it asked the affected workers to disregard the government’s directive.

Secretary to the Imo state government, Jude Ejiogu, had last week made several radio announcements to that effect, as well as the stoppage of their salaries.

The development, affected workers in 19 state-owned parastatals, agencies and departments.

According the announcement, the sack took effect from January 14, 2016, adding that they would be informed of any further re-engagement plans by government.

Reacting to the development, state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Austin Chilakpu Tuesday directed workers to disregard the order and report at their duty posts.

Addressing newsmen after an emergency executive meeting of the state NLC, Chilakpu said that workers could not be sacked on radio, stressing that the channel of disengaging workers at any level was clear.

He said: “We have asked our members in the mentioned parastatals to go for their normal duties; if they are molested, then labour will know what next to do,”

The NLC chairman, insisted that the laid down procedures of downsizing must be carried out.

Some of the parastatals, agencies and departments affected includes, Hospital Management Board, Headquarters, Imo Water Corporation, Imo Cattle Markets, Imo Sports Council, Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, Imo Marketing Company, Imo Consumer Protection Agency, Imo Tourism Board, Imo Blue Lake of Treasure and Imo State Agency.

Others are the Imo Job Centre, Imo Water Board Development Agency (IWADA), Imo Library Board, Imo Agric Loans Board, Imo Lives-stock, Imo Poverty Alleviation, Imo Agricultural Programme, Imo Pensions Board and Imo Transport Corporation. Some health centres were also affected by the action.