An open letter to NLC in Imo State

As you all know, Imolites are disappointed that on the 6th of June 2011, like the days of the military junta, Governor Rochas  Okorocha  of Imo State announced  the suspension of  10,000 jobs created by the immediate past administration of Imo State. The Governor called it the so-called Ohakim’s 10,000 jobs. By this action, 10,000 […]

As you all know, Imolites are disappointed that on the 6th of June 2011, like the days of the military junta, Governor Rochas  Okorocha  of Imo State announced  the suspension of  10,000 jobs created by the immediate past administration of Imo State. The Governor called it the so-called Ohakim’s 10,000 jobs. By this action, 10,000 legally employed graduates working in the state civil service have been sent into the world of uncertainties.

The disengaged workers were employed in line with the Imo State Civil Service Commission rules and regulations. The Imo State Civil Service Commission is an executive body in the state that has authority to make appointments and transfers, and to exercise disciplinary control over all Imo State Civil Servants. No officer can be appointed into the Imo State Civil Service without authorization from the Civil Service Commission. To register their displeasure, the disengaged workers in their thousands flooded the streets of Owerri demanding that the governor should retract on their sack from work. The governor told the protesting youths that he has set up a committee to review the 10,000-job programme.

Setting up a review committee is an old fashioned political gimmick. Why didn’t the Governor first set up the committee and finish all his reviews before throwing his sucker punch at the workers like a military governor?  The jobs review committee he set-up has proved to be a come today come tomorrow political lyrics. The workers have so far stayed one month at home. Sources even say that Okorocha has started using another political gimmick spreading propaganda that he will soon embark on a mass transfer of the 10,000 workers to various LGA’s in the state. Why treat Imolites this way? Majority of the disengaged workers fought for the election of the governor believing that a messiah has come to save Imo state. You can imagine how the governor is repaying them for their votes, by throwing them into the unemployment market.

Dear Labour Union Leaders, as you are no doubt aware, this is a serious labour battle in Imo State. You of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Imo State cannot just fold your arms like zombies and be watching workers lose their jobs in the state. The Imo 10,000 workers are fighting for survival and you’ve got to stand up and help them.