Soludo orders suspension of absentee workers after surprise visit

Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has ordered the suspension of civil servants who were absent from duty as at 10 .00 a.m. on Thursday, during his surprise visit to the state secretariat in Awka.

Soludo issued the directive, after conducting an on-the-spot assessment of workers’ punctuality, conduct and commitment, across ministries and departments.

Addressing newsmen after the visit, the governor said that workers who are not found at their duty posts by 10 a.m., should be suspended without pay.

“I walked in office by office and found a significant number of workers not yet at work, as at past 10 a.m.

“This is unacceptable,” he said.

He noted that “bad eggs” in the system would be shipped out, adding that Anambra could not afford an inefficient civil service.

The governor described his findings as a mixture of “the good, the bad and the ugly”.

While expressing his dissatisfaction with absenteeism and poor work ethics among some staff, he also commended diligent workers.

He, consequently, warned that the state government would no longer tolerate indiscipline and lack of commitment in the civil service.

Soludo reiterated his administration’s resolve to build a disciplined, efficient and result-oriented workforce, adding that reforms would be strictly enforced.

According to him, the state government had significantly invested in improving infrastructure and working conditions at the secretariat.

He therefore, urged workers to reciprocate the gesture, with dedication and productivity.