Abia State Governor Alex Otti has stated that employment is not a priority for his administration at this time. During a recent interactive session with the media, Otti explained that the government is currently focused on addressing issues within the existing civil service.
He cited a high number of employees and a significant wage bill of approximately four billion naira per month for both local government and state workers.
“So, it may not be a priority at this time to open up the doors to bring in new people, except if we have a way of exiting a few people,” Otti said. “But you know with the civil service rules, it is not going to be very easy to exit people.”
Otti emphasized that the government is working to improve and enhance compensation for civil servants, acknowledging that some employees may not be contributing at optimal levels. “What we are trying to do with the establishment of the Civil Service Commission and resumption of the new Head of Service and new Permanent Secretaries is to ensure that our people are adequately trained,” he said. “This is to enable them to operate their skills and perform better.”
The governor highlighted efforts to establish a Civil Service Commission and appoint a new Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries to ensure adequate training for employees, enabling them to develop their skills and perform better.
Otti also discussed his administration’s developmental strides in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, education, and health.
