By Anya C. Anya

 

The Governor of Abia State His Excellency Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu yesterday terminated the appointment of 5,666 secondary school teachers alleged to have been employed without wavier, authority and directive from the state government.

In a press release made available to AFNEWS and signed by Dr. A.C.B AGBAZUERE Chief of Staff to the Governor , the press release said ” The Abia State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D. has received the Report of the Committee on the supposed employments without waiver at the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB).”

“The Governor has equally noted the submissions of the Committee to the effect that out of the 5,853 people said to have been employed between 2018 to 2020, Only 187 people were employed with waiver, leaving 5,666 people as employed without waiver.

It will interest you to note that The Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu led administration in Abia State had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the recruitment made by the Secondary Education Management Board since 2018 till date since over 90% of it was made without government approved waiver which made the Government to set up a committee to investigate and review the series of recruitment done by SEMB from 2018 till date as a result of the inability of the government to pay those recruited and already in the service of the ministry of education.

The committee was set by the Government and headed by Dr. Mrs Kate Ndukauba with an assignment to review the employment made by SEMB and report back to the Government within few months . The Committee concluded it’s Investigation and reported back to the Government while Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu was aware and battling with Corona virus

The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State Dr. A.C. Agbazuere while receiving the report from the Committee on SEMB on behalf of the state government in his office in government house Umuahia said it was worrisome that only 187 staff were employed with government waiver. According to Dr A.C.B Agbazuere” the present administration is very passionate in taking the state education sector to enviable height as well as give it the best harped it require but it is necessary that everyone must abide by the rules and regulations set up by government in carrying out any given assignment adding that the state will not tolerate any form of lawlessness.”

The Governor Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has recovered and back to his duty post and consequently directed as follows:

1. That the Suspended Executive Secretary of Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB), Mr. Lawrence Ogbonna, be retired compulsorily with immediate effect.

2. That, in case, any of the 5,666 people employed without waiver, was asked to start work by anybody, such a person should stop forthwith, having been so employed unlawfully.

3. That Schools that have need for Teachers in some special areas should make their submissions to the Commissioner for Education and copy the Chief of Staff to the Governor.

4. That whenever there is such need to employ teachers , government shall take recourse to the list of 5,666 people for employment.