By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The industrial action declared in Imo State by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has claimed its first victim from the state’s side.
Governor Hope Uzodimma, on Saturday sacked his Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Chief Ford Ozumba, with immediate effect.
The Commissioner’s sacking was contained in a terse statement made available to journalists in Owerri by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Uzodinma.
The statement reads: “Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has approved the immediate removal of Chief Ford Ozumba, the State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, from office.”
The two-paragraph statement titled, “Uzodinma removes Ford Ozumba, Commissioner for Labour and Productivity,” further said: “Accordingly, His Excellency further directs that Chief Ozumba hands over to the Permanent Secretary of his Ministry with immediate effect.”
Though no reason was given for the Commissioner’s sack, Prompt News can confirm that it was a direct consequence of the rift between the NLC and Uzodinma’s government.
Recall that the NLC had accused officials of the Uzodinma’s Government last Tuesday of disrupting its State Congress and unleashing mayhem on workers exercising their rights to elect their leaders.
Subsequently, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) announced the shutdown of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo/ Passenger Airport in Owerri over the alleged attack by Imo State Government agents on members who were attending NLC State Congress on Tuesday.
