Soludo Orders Suspension of Workers Absent on Duty Posts During Surprise Tour of Secretariat

By Praise Chinecherem

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state has ordered the suspension of civil servants absent from duty as at past 10 a.m. during his surprise visit to the state secretariat in Awka.

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

Addressing newsmen after the visit, the governor said any worker not found at their duty post by 10 a.m. should be suspension without pay.

“I walked in office by office and there are quite a significant number of workers who are not yet at work as at past 10a.m. This is unacceptable.

“The ‘bad eggs’ will be fished out because Anambra is an A-state and cannot afford an inefficient civil service.

“Firm measures will be taken to check these attitudes in the civil service,” he said.

Describing his overall findings as a mix of “the good, the bad and the ugly,” Soludo commended diligent workers while expressing dissatisfaction with absenteeism and poor work ethic among some staff.

He 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, agile, efficient and result-oriented workforce, adding that reforms would be strictly enforced.

He noted that government had invested significantly in improving infrastructure and working conditions at the secretariat.

According to him, workers should reciprocate with dedication and productivity.