The automatic employment granted to 14 choristers by Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to mark the 28th anniversary of the state’s creation, has triggered crisis among some sacked workers.
The governor had, during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service to mark the anniversary at the Government House, Asaba, announced the automatic employment to 14 distinguished choristers.
However, chairman of the suspended civil servants, Obus Regha, on Wednesday expressed shock over the automatic employment, saying that the state government had earlier advertised job vacancies in the agricultural sector and had ignored his campaign promises to reabsorb the sacked workers.
“He granted automatic employment to his church members and ignored our suffering.
“We renewed our agitation for reinstatement last week. Instead of His Excellency to consider us for re-absorption as he promised during his re-election campaign, he went ahead to announce automatic job slots for people who never applied for it.
“He deceived us. We will take our destiny in our hands on this matter because we are Deltans, and we were recruited on merit,” Regha said.
One of the sacked Delta Line cashiers, Mrs. Patricia Okonkwo, told our Correspondent that their full entitlements, including their three-month in lieu of notice and other total terminal benefits are yet to be paid.
“Those who served the state meritoriously and were forced out of service without reaching retirement age deserve respect,” Okonkwo said.