There was
mild drama at the Government House in Calabar on Monday as the new governor of
Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, on his first official day in office locked
out civil servants that had yet to resume for work at 8.10am.
mild drama at the Government House in Calabar on Monday as the new governor of
Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, on his first official day in office locked
out civil servants that had yet to resume for work at 8.10am.
The governor, who resumed work at about 7.45am met an almost empty complex and
directed the Head of Service, Mrs. Mary-Theresa Ikwen, to shut the gate to the
Government House.
He also directed that henceforth, the gates to all Ministries, Department and
Agencies, should be shut
by 8.10am daily in order to curb lateness.
Two civil servants declined to comment on the development, but a third one who
craved anonymity, said workers would have to change their attitude. gooo/news/drama-as-criver-gov-locks-out-latecomers/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>PUNCH reports that he said:
“We would start resuming very
early in order not to incur the governor’s wrath.”
early in order not to incur the governor’s wrath.”
However,
the governor, who ordered that the gate be reopened at about 8.40am, warned all
heads of MDAs to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring that civil
servants served in line with the prescribed civil service rules.
the governor, who ordered that the gate be reopened at about 8.40am, warned all
heads of MDAs to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring that civil
servants served in line with the prescribed civil service rules.
Ayade said:
“If heads of MDAs could
report to work as early as 8am, I see no reason why their subordinates should
not be in their respective offices on or before that time. For those who are
late today, we will pardon them but from tomorrow, all latecomers will be
locked outside and sanctioned accordingly.”
report to work as early as 8am, I see no reason why their subordinates should
not be in their respective offices on or before that time. For those who are
late today, we will pardon them but from tomorrow, all latecomers will be
locked outside and sanctioned accordingly.”
He
maintained that as a successful businessman, he would not fold his arms and
watch civil servants who are supposed to serve the people relegate their work
to the background.
maintained that as a successful businessman, he would not fold his arms and
watch civil servants who are supposed to serve the people relegate their work
to the background.
“I am a change agent, in my
younger years, I used to be addressed as a system purifier and I am here to do
just that, focus exactly on production, expand the horizon and economic
benefits and potential of my people.
younger years, I used to be addressed as a system purifier and I am here to do
just that, focus exactly on production, expand the horizon and economic
benefits and potential of my people.
It is only private organisation
that runs for profit but government’s profit is the social safety net, the
welfare and well-being of our people. My profit therefore is the number of
people I employ, my service to my people is the number of people I have
engaged, so coming down to narrow the number of appointment will mean, I have
already started with disservice.”
that runs for profit but government’s profit is the social safety net, the
welfare and well-being of our people. My profit therefore is the number of
people I employ, my service to my people is the number of people I have
engaged, so coming down to narrow the number of appointment will mean, I have
already started with disservice.”