Hundreds of workers were on Wednesday locked out of the Cross River State Government House by Governor Ben Ayade.

The governor arrived at the office at 8:00 a.m. and was surprised to see that many civil servants were not on seats.

Mr Ayade immediately ordered the opening of a register and asked the chief security officer to lock the gate against any late-coming worker.

Those locked out included top-ranking state civil service officers and political appointees.

Christian Ita, the governor’s media aide, said Mr Ayade had always frowned upon indiscipline and rewarded those committed to their responsibilities.

“The normal resumption time is 8:00 a.m., and if a governor can be in the office at that time, why can’t others be around? The governor has always shown reward and sanction to workers; he doesn’t hesitate to sanction when you err and also reward you when you are committed to duty,” he said.

Several workers who were locked out were seen hanging around the entrance of the Government House.

(NAN)