Governor Alex Otti of Abia says some workers, who would be released by the ongoing verification of the civil servants, would be redeployed to teach in the state-owned schools.

Mr Otti disclosed this on Friday night during his monthly media chat at the Government House, Umuahia.

He said the affected persons would be redeployed to schools after they had gone through a teaching programme.

The governor expressed shock over the large number of civil servants in the state employ, saying that some could be redeployed to where they would be relevant.

He said: “We do not think it is a wise thing looking for teachers when we have an over bloated civil service – the number is humongous.

“We can’t sack them. They are civil servants, and we don’t even want to sack them.

“We want people to get jobs, and those that have capacity to teach, we can send them to schools because we need teachers.”

Mr Otti also expressed worry over the large number of civil servants attached to the Government House, saying, “And I can’t find what they are actually doing.”

He complained that the number was still much even after the chief of staff had redeployed some 235 of them, based on his directive.

The governor, who spoke on a wide range of issues concerning his ongoing efforts to develop the state, denied asking the body not to sing or recite the Abia Anthem.

Mr Otti allegedly stopped the anthem, which the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu created.

The governor also said his administration had initiated many people-oriented programmes since he assumed office about six months ago.

He said he had already inaugurated some road projects, pointing out that eight were at different stages of construction.

The governor said the government was still engaging with stakeholders and would soon make a pronouncement “concerning the welfare and a new minimum wage for civil servants”.

(NAN)