Awka – The Anambra State House of Assembly on Tuesday, passed a resolution condemning the purported process of recruitment of staff for the Anambra State International Cargo and Passenger Airport at Umueri and the Ministry of Justice.
The resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance sponsored to that effect by the member representing Njikoka One Constituency, Dr. Timothy Ifedioramma during today’s plenary.
TNC correspondent gathered that recruitment of staff to work at the airport had commenced discreetly, with some selected persons said to be quartered at a certain hotel at Agulu in Anaocha Council Area of the state, where they were said to be receiving training.
Our source claimed the recruited persons were mainly from Aguleri, the country home of the state governor, Willie Obiano.
In their remarks, the member representing Anaocha Two Constituency, Honourable Ejike Okechukwu and the member representing Njikoka Two Constituency, Dr. Pete Ibida described the ongoing recruitment exercise as a total neglect with respect to the Anambra State House of Assembly that appropriates funds to government agencies.
For his part, the member representing Onitsha South One Constituency, Honourable Uzoma Eli, who also spoke in favour of the motion, regretted that the State seat of power has been moved to Aguleri, accusing the state governor of nepotism.
“It is a pity that the state governor has arrogated such powers to himself as to embark on such recruitment without the state house of Assembly knowing about it. This is in clear violation of the principles of separation of powers and checks and balance. That recruitment should stop,” he said.
At the plenary, the House resolved that the process of employment or ongoing illegal recruitment of staff of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport and the Ministry of Justice did not follow due process, voiding any employment already made and or any ongoing employment process.
It resolved that no state fund shall be spent to pay salaries of staff purportedly employed or in the process of being employed at the state Airport and Ministry of Justice.
The House also invited the Commissioners for Works and Justice and the Chairman, Anambra State Civil Service Commission to appear before it on Thursday,15th July,2021 during plenary for explanations.
The House resolved that another resolution passed by them shall be needed to re-authorise employment for the Airport and Ministry of Justice after due process must have been complied with.
The Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Uche Okafor read out the resolution to the House, while the lawmakers supported it through a voice vote.
