By hector obinna
Civil Servants in Imo State have challenged the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to instruct the Head of Service, Mr Calistus Ekenze to explain to them what happened to their Identity Cards, after deducting Millions of Naira from their salaries, yet the project remains unfulfilled till today.
The Civil Servants who hid under the cover of anonymity because of their status, said that if no positive action was taken on the matter within a short time, they would go on strike to demand either the ID Card, or their money be given back to them.
The workers who lamented their ordeal to Trumpeta said that it is almost six months now that the immediate past Head of Service, Mrs Nkechi Onumajulu asked all Imo Workers to pay a certain amount of money, depending on rank, for a new ID card, which has not been delivered to the Workers yet.
The workers maintained that it was the first time Civil Servants were paying from their pockets their ID Cards, yet they complied but are surprised that eight months after, they are still waiting for the ID Cards.
It would be recalled that a few months ago, the former Head of Service, Mrs Nkechi Onumajulu wrote a memo to all Heads of Departments asking that a sum ranging from N3,000 N5,000 be deducted from the workers for their Identity Card.
Even though some of the workers resisted what they saw as a novel and aberration in the Civil Servants in Imo State, they still went ahead to pay the amount which was forced out from their salaries.
However, when the Press blew the story open, it was alleged that the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha promised to give back the money to the workers.
Unfortunately, weeks after, Mrs Onumajulu who initiated the project was removed from Office, with Calistus Ekenze taking over from her, and therefore inherited both “assets and liabilities” of the office.
But till date, the embattled Civil Servants have neither seen the ID card, nor have they been refunded their monies.
It was under this condition that the workers raised alarm over the issue, and among other extortions going on in the Imo Public Service now.
They allege that their salaries have been tampered with, as other allowances attached to their salaries have been withdrawn from the basic salaries, leaving them with a “take home” that cannot “take them home”.
Therefore, in order to demand their rights, the Imo Work Force has threatened to embark on strike, even if their Leaders compromise with Government Officials.
