By Uchechukwu Molokwu, Ngozi Okoli/ Obianuju Azukaego/Nkiru Anakor
Following the directive issued by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for workers and traders to resume work on Mondays, staff of Onitsha South Local Government Area (LGA) reported for duty on Monday.
Reports from our Information Officers indicate that many offices within the local government secretariat were open, with workers present and ready to carry out their official responsibilities.
Speaking with our reporters, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Onitsha South Chapter, Comrade Ngozi Aniebo, described the state government’s directive as a welcome development.
She noted that local government workers were obligated to comply with the order to avoid salary deductions.
“As you can see, we are here, and many workers complied with the directive,” she said.
Comrade Aniebo, however, revealed that workers faced serious challenges, particularly transportation difficulties and fear of attacks while commuting to work due to the scarcity of vehicles and tricycles (keke) on the roads.
She added that some workers trekked long distances to the secretariat, while others lacked the money for transportation.
She therefore appealed to the governor to provide adequate security at government offices to enable workers to perform their duties without fear.
Also speaking, Mrs. Nkem Ejide of the Internal Revenue Office said staff were already at work and waiting to attend to clients.
She expressed concern over security and urged the government to ensure proper protection so that full enforcement of Monday work schedules would be possible.
Similarly, Mrs. Ngozi Ekpendu of the Internal Audit Office said that workers were happy with the development and ready to attend to members of the public.
She emphasized the need for the government to beef up security within office premises.
It would be noted that Governor Soludo recently annulled the Monday sit-at-home order and issued a stern warning that salaries of workers who fail to report to work on Mondays would be deducted.
The officers are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
