The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has said he prematurely retired a Permanent Secretary from the state’s civil service because he could not calculate the gratuities of his retired colleagues.
Umahi made the declaration on Wednesday during the swearing-in of new Permanent Secretaries and members of the state’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
According to him, “The Deputy Governor asked me to reverse the decision, but I declined and that will be his first request that I am not granting in the eight years that he has been deputy governor.”
The governor, however, said he might reverse the decision and urged the newly sworn-in officials to read widely.
“You people should be prudent and dignify your offices”, the governor urged.
According to the governor, the issue of gratuity of civil servants in the state was worrisome.
He observed that Permanent Secretaries in Ebonyi were among the best in the country and added that they should strive to maintain the standard of the state.
“We have raised a standard in Ebonyi that makes us compete with the best in the world.
“Anyone who fails to meet the standard will be asked whether or not he comes from Ebonyi.
“Set examinations for yourselves on performance because Ebonyi should not be your limits in exposure and proficiency.
“The theory that helped me, which should also help you, is to regard public duties or services as your personal business.
“I diligently understudied the Israelis and it helped me to attain engineering proficiency.
“I was tutored in an Israeli firm in 1987 on a monthly salary of N650.
“I listened to my mentors and though I have just a first degree in Engineering, I can debate favourably with a professor in the field,’’ Umahi said.
