HEAD OF SERVICE CRACKS DOWN ON FRIDAY ABSENTEEISM, ENFORCES GOVERNOR SOLUDO'S BURIAL DIRECTIVE

The Anambra State Head of Service, Ngozi Anuli Iwouno, Esq, mni, on Friday led an unscheduled inspection of ministries to enforce Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s directive shifting burial ceremonies and condolence visits from Fridays to Saturdays.

The monitoring exercise took place at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat Complex, Awka, and covered the Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Education, Justice, and the Office of the Head of Service.

Addressing workers found at their duty posts, Iwouno said Fridays were no longer for attending burials or paying condolence visits during official work hours. She warned Civil Servants against locking up offices and leaving their jobs unattended.

“Fridays are no longer for burials or condolence visits. Workers must stay in their offices and be productive,” she stated. “Any worker who wants to attend burial ceremonies or condolence visits should wait till the close of work. Anyone who is bereaved must get proper approval for annual or casual leave to be absent from work, she added.

The Head of Service cautioned that defaulters would face very severe disciplinary actions in accordance to the Public Service Rules.

“I am using this exercise as a wake-up call to all Civil Servants in the State that there are no more burial ceremonies or condolence visits on Fridays. Civil Servants should remain in their offices to serve Ndi Anambra from Monday to Friday". The HOS said.

Iwouno commended staff present at their duty post and urged them to sustain the tempo, noting that they are the face of the "New Anambra State Public Service". Who take their jobs seriously.

The Governor’s directive and the HOS monitoring tour signal a renewed push to improve productivity in Public Service across Anambra State.

MaryAnn writes from the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.