From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The rumoured sack of about 1,800 persons from across various ministries and government departments in Edo State is creating a lot of worry for civil servants in the state.

According to reports making the round, those pencilled down for sack include those who have exceeded their statutory time in service or whose educational qualifications are found to be dubious as well as those who are blind or mentally unstable.

The rumoured sack is said to be a recommendation of the state Information and technology, ICT, unit of the Governor’s Office.

Fears were further heightened when the names of some civil servants went missing from the January 2014 salary voucher just as some persons also said that this position was communicated to them through a letter.

However, responding to the rumour, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Emma Ademokun, said that the news of the sack of civil servants has not been confirmed by the state government to the union, explaining that it might just be verification of workers’ credentials which the government does from time to time.

He stressed that the state government cannot be contemplating the sack of workers whose number had dropped from 15, 000 when the incumbent governor, Adams Oshiomhole, assumed office in 2008 to less than 5000 at present.