25th March, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
The Edo State Government has denied the alleged mass sack of members of staff of the State’s Sports Commission, saying the action did not emanate from the State Government.
The State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, made the denial while addressing the protesting members of staff of the Commission at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.
Hundreds of the workers had barricaded the main road and other adjoining roads leading to the sports complex over the recent rumour of the sacking of about 513 workers.
But, addressing the protesters, Shaibu, said the purported “list in circulation which was claimed to have originated from the Government House was doubtful and wondered who approved it”.
The Deputy Governor, who insisted that no staff or workers of the Sports Commission were sacked, however, disclosed that redundant workers would be redeployed to other ministries and agencies of government.
He stated further: “The State Government did not sack any of you, but we will only redeploy workers who are redundant and those who are no longer active in sports.
“I assured you that no one is sacked and no one will be sacked. Just go and prepare yourself ahead of the next sports festival to be held in Delta State. All our athletes will represent us to bring back our medals to Edo State.”
Some of the aggrieved protesters who responded said they were dismissed without going through the Civil Service Commission.
They appealed to the State Government to reconsider its stand on the contemplated mass sack, noting that it was against the civil service rules and privileges of civil servants for anyone to dish out lists of mass dismissal of civil servants.