OTTI CONDEMNS GRAVE DECISION OF HIS APPOINTEE OVER STOPPAGE OF CIVIL SERVANT’S SALARY.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia state has ordered the Secretary to the State Government Dr Emmanuel Emereibeole to investigate an alleged unilateral stoppage of the salary of a civil servant attached to the Office of the Due Process.

Governor Otti who gave the directive while responding to questions during the month of August Media chat at the Micheal Okpara Auditorium Umuahia wondered why an appointee, the Director General, Office of the Bureau of Due Process, Mr. Oluebube Chukwu would take such grave decision over a civil servant serving as a driver in his office.

While describing the action as unacceptable and contrary to established procedures in the state public service, Governor Otti condemned any action capable of depriving a civil servant of his legitimate entitlements without due process.

He reminded the heads of authorities the established rules and administrative procedures governing the discipline of civil servants and emphasized that no individual, regardless of position, should arbitrarily stop the salary of a public servant in the state.

According to him, if a civil servant in any manner commits an offence or violates any regulation, the appropriate procedures must be followed, including investigation and the opportunity for the affected officer to respond to the allegation before any disciplinary action is taken.

Hence, Governor Otti directed the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, to constitute a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged stoppage of the worker’s salary.

The panel is expected to establish the facts of the matter, determine whether due process was followed and make appropriate recommendations to the government.

He maintained that disciplinary measures within the civil service must be guided by fairness, transparency and the relevant administrative regulations, rather than unilateral decisions.

The Governor’s intervention underscores his administration’s position that accountability and adherence to established rules must apply across the public service, regardless of the office or individual involved.