Eight permanent secretaries reinstated by the National Industrial Court (NIC) following their sack by Rivers Government have called on Governor Nyesom Wike to assign them portfolios.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt, the affected persons said they would continue to report at their respective duty posts as they await the governor’s action.
The NIC in Yenagoa, Bayelsa had on January 31 voided the 2015 sack of eight permanent secretaries – Samuel Woka, Kadilo Brown, Augustine Orlu-Orlu, Muka Nwikosi, Minabelema Michael-West, Ngozi Abu, Kingsley Hart and Justina Jumbo.
Justice Basha Alkali ruled that the sack was unconstitutional and declared it null and void as it did not follow procedures in the public service.
A spokesman of the affected senior civil servants, Sam Woka, told NAN that they resumed work on February 11 at the State Secretariat in Port Harcourt in compliance with court order.
Mr Woka said they first reported to the Office of the Head of Service, the Accountant-General of Rivers as well as the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, respectively, in relation to their matter.
He, however, expressed optimism that the state government would obey the court order by reinstating and allocating them portfolios.
Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim, in reaction told NAN that the state Attorney-General and the Head of Service were in a better position to speak on the matter.
However, the two top officials were yet to comment on the development.
