Umahi fires Special Assistant who absconded from duty

By Ikenna Oluka

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has sacked his Special Assistant (SA) on Primary Health (Ebonyi Central Zone), Mrs Stephanie Ugo-Chima, for absconding from duty for over a month.

Dr. Hyginus Nwokwu, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abakaliki during a joint state Executive Council.

Nwokwu said that Ugo-Chima absconded from her duties and responsibilities as an aide to the governor within the period which necessitated the relieving of her duty.

“The insinuation that her sack was political is unfounded because all appointment or sack of public officers is political.

“There are laid down rules for such appointments, but the civil service rules are not applied in these cases because such appointees are not civil servants,” he said.

The SSG also clarified the issue of the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the state, Mrs Elizabeth Ogbaga, who had also not been seen in her official duties and public functions for long.

“Ogbaga as far as the office of the SSG is concerned, is on leave,” he said.

“A Local Government Area (LGA) development centre coordinator and two LGA advisory committee members were also sworn-in during the council’s meeting,” he said.