Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Monday announced that he would disengage from service some categories of aides, numbering more than 1,000, on August 1 due to non-performance in their duties.
Umahi made the announcement in Abakaliki during a virtual swearing-in of some Special Assistants and Caretaker Chairmen of Local Governments, among others.
He noted that governance of the state was no longer “business as usual”.
The governor listed the affected categories of aides to include: Technical Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Executive Assistants.
He said: “We have over 1,000 of you, over 350 LGA liaison officers and several Development Centres management committee members, yet myself and my deputy threw ourselves ‘in the ring’ on the COVID-19 issue.
“I don’t know where else you will get a position, where you will just sleep and wait for bank alert.”
The governor noted that the affected aides who wished to re-apply for the positions must be endorsed by a State Government’s ministry or department.
Umahi said: “We will hold such ministry or department responsible on you and you must have and show us your farm, if you wish to re-apply.
“People who were never in these categories of aides should not apply because I will not expand such offices.
“But if we don’t fill all the positions, we will then call for nominations.”
