Assembly Condemns Sack Of Enugu Indigenes By Abia Govt

Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly have condemned the disengagement of the state’s indigenes working in the Abia State Civil Service.

The leader of the House, Mr Sunday Ude-Okoye, representing Awgu North Constituency, moved a motion for urgent public importance condemning the forceful disengagement of Enugu State indigenes by the government of Abia State.

According to him, Enugu State indigenes residing in Abia before the state’s creation have contributed to the development of the state.

“They do not deserve such treatment,” Ude-Okoye said.

The House leader said that most of Enugu indigenes had spent their entire lives working for Abia State and that they deserved to be paid their entitlements by the Abia Government.

Ude-Okoye argued that disengaging the workers meant forcing the Enugu State Government to inherit payment for services rendered to another state.

“The minimum wage is a national issue, every state is not finding it easy to pay and that should not be a reason for the disengagement of Enugu indigenes serving in Abia State,’’ he said.

Mr Micheal Onyeze, representing Igbo-Eze North 1 Constituency, said it was irrational for Abia State to sack the indigenes of Enugu State who had served Abia Government for over 30 years.

According to him, “this is an ugly development, we should learn to accommodate each other.”

Mrs Cecilia Ezilo, representing Ezeagu Constituency condemned the attitude of the Abia State Government, urging the House to do any thing to remind the Abia Government that the best thing a government should do is to leave a good legacy.

“If it is not good legacy some body like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s name should not be used at the airport in the northern part of the country,’’ Ezilo said.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Eugene Odo, said the Assembly would notify the South East Governor’s Forum and the Conference of South East Speaker in writing.

According to him, the Assembly will wait for reactions from the two bodies before any further action.

The Assembly adjourned to 13 October, following a motion moved by Ude-Okoye.