Council Chair to Health Staff: Show Up or Face Sanctions
UMEH/Nigeria: Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Friday Ovoke Warri, has issued a stern warning against absenteeism among government workers, urging communities to report employees who abandon their duties while remaining on the government payroll.
Warri gave the directive on Thursday during an unscheduled visit to the Umeh Primary Healthcare Centre, where he was shocked to find the facility completely deserted, with no staff on duty. Expressing dismay over the situation, he vowed that his administration would no longer tolerate such negligence.
“The Umeh Primary Healthcare Centre was open, yet not a single staff member was present,” Warri lamented while engaging with residents. “The people of Umeh deserve quality healthcare services, and we are committed to ensuring that government investments truly benefit them.”
The visit was aimed at verifying the activities of the facility’s seven staff members, all of whom receive monthly salaries from the government. However, none of the workers had prior knowledge of the visit, allowing the council chairman to witness firsthand the extent of absenteeism at the centre.
Warri urged residents to consistently report such cases to the local government authority to ensure accountability in service delivery. “We must not allow a situation where public workers neglect their duties while still earning salaries. Community members should take an active role in holding them accountable,” he emphasized.
During the visit, Warri and his team also assessed the deteriorating condition of the Umeh market, which has suffered repeated damage from annual flooding. He pledged to explore solutions to address the market’s infrastructure challenges, assuring residents that the local government remains committed to improving public amenities across the area.
