No plan to retrench workers in kogi– Fanwo

By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja

Amid fever of retrenchment gripping Kogi state workers, particularly local government workforce, the state government says it has no plan to retrench any civil servant.

The Commisdioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, cleared the air on Thursday in a statement in Lokoja while dispelling media report indicating retrenchment in local government councils.

According to him, the story was “manufactured to create unnecessary tension in the civil service”.

He said:” Government is not considering retrenchment.
I do not know where the unfounded rumour emanated from. What is going on is the implementation of the amnesty granted workers who violated the civil service rules.

“Some workers clearly violated some civil service rules and should ordinarily have been dismissed,but the Governor, in his magnanimity and love for the civil servants, decided to grant them amnesty.

“But despite the amnesty, there is need for right-grading of the affected civil servants.
Nobody is being retrenched as speculated by the media”.

Fanwo, who thanked the media practitioners for their support for the Governor Yahaya Bello Administration, however, urged them to always verify facts before going to the press, to avoid spreading falsehood.

“The media has been so supportive and we appreciate them. I urge them to always crosscheck facts before going to the press.

“We have enjoyed massive cooperation with the labour, as the administration has always worked with them in repositioning the service. That will be Jealously guarded to ensure the mutual understanding and smooth relationship,” he said.

Some of state workers, who spoke with The Reporters, an online publication, described Fanwo’s clarification on the said media report as a big relief.

They, however, urged the state government to look into the possibility of implementing cash back promotions among others,to boost their morale and productivity.