Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday, surprised state civil servants with an unannounced visit to the state secretariat and expressed displeasure over widespread absenteeism and lateness among workers.
The governor arrived at the secretariat around 10:35 a.m. to inspect ongoing renovation works, including the installation of lights. However, he was met with near-empty offices, as most workers and even some commissioners were absent.
In a decisive move, security officers at the governor’s orders locked the gates, leaving hundreds of workers stranded outside. Addressing the crowd of locked-out workers, Governor Alia lambasted their lack of commitment to duty, describing their attitude as detrimental to the state’s progress and their own well-being.
“With what you are doing, you are creating a vicious circle for your families. You cannot get money and be uplifted because you are cheaters and because of the effect of what you are doing,” the governor said, clearly exasperated.
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Governor Alia emphasized the seriousness of his warning, reminding the workers that he had the authority to take drastic action if the poor work ethic persisted.
“I have a quick way of getting your names and firing you as I have the power to do so. I am speaking to you as a priest and not as governor and telling you the dangers in what you are doing,” he stated.
The governor also called on the workers to reflect on their responsibilities, stressing that their jobs were not just about fulfilling personal duties but serving the collective interests of the state.
“It is not about me; who is the government? All of you here are the government. Even in the family, somebody governs the home, and there are rules. And in every government, there are rules,” he explained.
Governor Alia encouraged the civil servants to think beyond themselves and consider the people who depend on them.
“See what you can do, if not for yourselves but for the people you are caring for and are behind you because they are the ones to take the heat,” he said.