Abia State government has banned civil servants and other public servants in the state from hawking and trading articles within the government’s stipulated hours working hours of 8am to 4pm.
The order was given by the acting Head of Service, Joy Maduka during her maiden meeting with the staff of the inner office.
The meeting also involved the entire management and member of staff of her office.
Maduka maintained that overhauling and reforming the service to restore its lost glory, are tasks that must be accomplished in the present administration’s scheme of things.
She admonished workers to eschew sabotage, unethical behaviour, general indiscipline and implored them to adhere strictly to the public service rules and regulations.
The acting Head of Service, who reiterated Governor Otti’s avowed commitment to improving the welfare of the workforce, said the workers would regain their pride under the new administration.
Maduka asserted that henceforth, the Abia State government would not condone disrespect to constituted authority/superiors.
She equally warned that lateness to work, loitering and gossip were not allowed in the civil service.
The workers who spoke during the maiden meeting promised to abide by the HoS directive and assured of their resolve to support the new administration in developing the civil service and the state in general.
A special finding by the correspondent indicated that before this ban, some government offices looked like semi-markets, as some civil servants working in such offices traded on wares to augment their monthly salaries, which they lamented were inadequate to provide their family’s financial needs.