NewsPoliticsEXCLUSIVE: We Did Not Hire, We Are Just Training, Commissioner for Works Says As He Appears Before Anambra Assembly

https://www.westafricanpilotnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Marcel-Ifejiofor-Anambra-State-Works-Commissioner.jpg

AWKA — Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Marcel Ifejiofor had appeared before Anambra State House of Assembly to explain the situation and circumstances surrounding alleged employment and training of staff members, for the yet to be commissioned Anambra International and Cargo Airport, Umueri. The meeting which was held behind closed doors, during the Assembly’s Executive Session, had the commissioner struggling with providing answers.

Although the commissioner maintained his position that there was no recruitment but training, albeit without being able to convince the members, he however threw himself into confusion, as he was repeatedly unable to answer pertinent questions from House members. For instance, while the commissioner maintained that the ongoing training was to enable people acquire some requisite certifications in line with requirements for approval of the Airport, he also said that it does not mean that those being trained has been employed. Then also, Engr. Ifejiofor went on to say that his office commissioned Kingsway to train those undergoing training. But when he was asked, “who are the people being trained”? He said, “I don’t know”. Hon. Nonso Okafor, a member representing Nnewi North constituency pointedly asked the commissioner to explain how the list of the trainees came about. But again, “I don’t know how the list came about”, was the commissioner’s response.

At this point, members were infuriated and Hon. Tim Ifedioranma, member representing Njikoka 1 constituency wondered if his office after approving the trainer, and training which were paid for, with public fund, asked the trainer to go to Eke Awka (popular market in Awka) and just pick anyone for training. The question as to how those being trained were selected could not be answered.

Engr. Ifejiofor however continued to push the narrative that it is the Airport Management Team that will employ a staff of the Airport and that those currently undergoing training may as well not be employed.

At this point, apparently, the Commissioner is not making enough effort to clarify the concerns of the lawmakers. Hence, a motion was moved by Hon. Okafor inviting the commissioner to appear before the plenary to explain his position to Ndi Anambra and the world. However, with the Speaker’s intervention, the House agreed to give the commissioner another chance to go home and articulate his position and then come back for a more detailed explanation in a closed-door session, on the next adjourned date.

Meanwhile, the Chairwoman of Anambra State Civil Service Commission wrote formally to the House excusing herself from appearing before the House for some cogent reasons and asked for another date to be fixed for her appearance. West African Pilot News gathered that Anambra State Head of Service was not invited by the House, as earlier reported.

However, the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice did not appear before the Assembly and also failed to write or communicate to the House, whatsoever.

The House still resolved that the training of prospective airport staffers should stop until satisfactory explanations have been provided. Meanwhile, no new date was fixed to invite the Civil Service Commission Chairwoman and no known decision on the Attorney General’s silence over the Assembly’s invitation.

Ebuka Onyekwelu (Staff Writer)
Follow me

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com