AS EXTORTION CHARGES DISRUPT THE PROMOTION EXERCISE, ABIA'S HEAD OF SERVICE MANDATES REIMBURSEMENTS

The government of Abia State has once again warned heads of government agencies against requesting or accepting bribes from civil servants in exchange for Gen.35 promotion documents in the state's public sector.

This warning was reaffirmed by the State Head of Service, Onyii Wamah, who urged permanent secretaries and leaders of other government establishments to ensure the rapid restitution of any funds collected from civil/public personnel in the name of Gen. 35.

Wamah advised people who engage in the conduct to stop immediately in a statement signed by Adaeze Ralph Igbokwe, his Public Relations Officer, PRO, as any civil official seen receiving such money will face disciplinary action in accordance with the Public Service Rule (PSR).

A civil servant in one government establishment in Umuahia who spoke on the matter thanked the Head of Service for uncovering and exposing alleged corrupt practices by some heads of administration and other unit heads, claiming that Wamah has protected the interests of workers, particularly poor low cadre workers.

"It is true, the HoS is saying the truth. My brother's files were not attended to, probably because he did not play the ball but with this warning by the HOS, my brother is hopeful of getting his Gen.35 immediately", the female civil servant said, under anonymity.

Meanwhile, Onyi Wamah's statement stated in part,

"The number one Abia civil servant expressed disappointment that while the government is making sincere efforts to make life bearable for the workforce, some unscrupulous workers are adamant to such, describing it as unfair, wickedness and therefore unacceptable and charged permanent secretaries and heads of other establishments to daily, checkmate the activities of department and unit heads under their watch."

It should be remembered that in 2022, the Head of Service raised the alert that some bad apples in the state civil service were reportedly extorting civil servants before completing their Gen.35 promotion documents.

The ongoing promotion effort involves the implementation of next-level advancements awarded to civil officials in Abia recently by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.