Imo To Workers: We Will Punish Those Who Stay Away On Mondays

Hope Uzodimma

Imo State Government has warned civil servants to ignore any call to stay away from work on Mondays or be ready for punishment.

A statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba, assured adequate arrangements for security have been put in place to ensure they are in the office to do their work.

The statement reads: “This is to inform all indigenes and residents of Imo state that Government has not authorised any public holiday or sit at home across the state, either today, Monday, March 21,2022 or any other working day

“Consequently, everyone is advised to go about his or her normal duties.

“Civil servants are particularly advised to ensure that they are in their offices discharging their responsibilities. Those who abstain from duty without authorisation will be sanctioned accordingly.

“Government hereby assures all indigenes and residents of adequate security as they go about their lawful activities.”

On Monday, there was a mild drama when schools, commercial activities, vehicular movements, public schools, and individual movements were partially restrained following rumoured move by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to enforce the sit-at-home order.

A number of commercial vehicles, okada and motor cycle riders, tricycles, wheel barrow pushers and road side artisans abandoned their businesses.

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation, reports the few available commercial vehicles hiked their fare from N100 to N200 and from N200 to N300 etc depending on the distance, a situation which constrained commuters to trek long distance to their destinations

Though the rumour was later found to be hoax, most of the fast food centres and commercial banks refused to open for business for fear of being attacked.