Do Away With Truancy—Ayade Tells Cross River Workers

DAVID ODEY

The Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade has admonished civil servants in the state to do away with negative tendencies such as fraud, truancy and indiscipline.
He gave the advice in his speech during the May Day celebrations Monday in Calabar, the state capital.
In his speech which was read on his behalf by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, the governor said: “it is often disheartening to see workers come to work late and even leave before the close of work.
“At certain times, we have had to direct the Office of the Head of Service to ensure strict monitoring of our workers to ensure that they resume work at the appropriate time,” adding that the negative traits were at variance with Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
Governor Ayade who did not elaborate on the nature of fraud perpetrated by the workers,  urged them  to reciprocate government’s gesture of paying salaries promptly and paying welfare packages by rededicating themselves to the service of the state.
Meanwhile, during the May Day celebrations, labour unions in the state slammed the government for allegedly deducting N500 illegally from workers’ salaries every month.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress TUC), Cross River State chapters, said the illegal deductions amounted to N9 million monthly since October 2016 when the deductions started and has continued to date.
The state Chairman of NLC, Comrade John Ushie, disclosed this in his address at the Workers’ Day celebrations in Calabar.
According to him, “the illegal deductions being paid into a private account now totals N63 million.”
The unions also kicked against the refusal by the state government “to stop the deductions and to refund such monies to the affected workers despite our demand.”
The joint trade unions also condemned government’s unwillingness to pay “many workers and pensioners correctly due to data mix-up.”