By Monday Osayande, Asaba
Many federal and state workers in Asaba, Delta State capital, did not report at their duty posts after the New Year celebration.
Federal Government had earlier declared Wednesday, January 1, 2020 public holiday while work resumes on Thursday nationwide.
But on Thursday, when our correspondent went round to some offices to monitor workers’ resumption, it was observed that some offices were not opened at both federal and state Secretariats located along Okpanam road and Mariam Babangida way, Asaba, the state capital.
It was also observed that both secretariats were devoid of its usual busy activities as few workers were seen in their offices working in the morning while others were standing in groups discussing their experiences during the Christmas and new Year activities.
It was gathered that many of the state workers went to work to clock in and left, apperantly to avoid being sanctioned by government’s clock in and clock out policy.
Some of the workers, beaming with Smile, expressed appreciation to God for a successful new Year even as others, particularly the federal workers were thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for the payment of their salary and minimum wage arrears which they claimed assisted them to enjoy yuletide period.
One of the civil servants who refused to mention his name said he was happy to resume work, saying, “I am ready to give my best at work this year”.
He said that he was greateful to the Federal Government for addressing the critical sector of the nation’s economy, but urged government to sustain the priority on the welfare of workers across board.
Mr Celestine Afokoba, a civil servant at federal Ministry of Information and Assistant Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta Council promised to put in his best especially now that government has made full payment of his salary and arreas of minimum wage.
