Staff members of the Abia State Ministry of Environment in Umuahia on Wednesday staged a protest, expressing their frustration over salary deductions exceeding 8 million Naira over the past three years.
The employees, holding various placards, alleged that these deductions were made in 2021 for a Christmas welfare program and have continued without any refunds.
In their anger, the staff appealed to Governor Alex Otti for assistance and attempted to meet with the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, but were unable to do so as he was not in the office.
The Government employees also mentioned that Governor Otti should intervene in their situation by demanding justice and accountability regarding the salary deductions. They seek prompt action to address their grievances and ensure that the withheld funds are returned to them.
They stated that while the salary deductions began in 2021, many employees continued to notice the discrepancies with each paycheck.
The workers pointed to certain influential members within the ministry as being involved.
The staff members demanded action on a panel report highlighting unauthorized deductions exceeding N8 million from their salaries since 2021. The investigation, initiated by Honorable Commissioner Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, resulted in a report submitted to authorities a month ago, but no action has been taken.
The panel, headed by Mr. Ike Chris, the Head of the Climate Change Department, recommended disciplinary action against three senior finance officers—Enogwe Oluchi, Eke Patience Uloaku, and Nwogu Michael Eze. They are to return the deducted funds and be transferred from the ministry. However, since the report's submission, it is alleged that the implicated officials have asserted, “nothing will happen” to them, increasing frustration among the ministry staff.
The panel’s investigation uncovered that over N8 million was deducted from the salaries of 103 employees and transferred to an account under dubious circumstances. Despite the strong evidence presented, the absence of action has led many to doubt the ministry’s dedication to accountability and employee welfare.
One employee mentioned that even retired staff are affected by the Christmas deductions, emphasizing that these former employees have also struggled to reclaim their withheld funds.
He said, “Around four panels have been established to address this issue, but no progress has been made. Previously, they claimed armed robbers broke in, fired shots, and took money, but we never heard any gunfire. They simply embezzled our funds,” said a staff member known as Onyeoma.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment has not yet released a statement regarding the recent protest. However, a senior staff member suggested that the alleged deductions related to welfare funds may have occurred during the previous administration. The ministry's silence on the matter has left staff and protesters awaiting clarification on the situation surrounding the disputed salary deductions.
