Governor Chukwuma Soludo has ordered the immediate suspension of civil servants found absent from duty as of 10 a.m., following an unannounced inspection of the state secretariat in Awka.
The early morning visit, carried out across ministries and departments, exposed what the governor described as an unacceptable level of absenteeism and poor work ethic among some government employees.
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, Soludo made it clear that any worker not at their duty post by the stipulated time would face suspension without pay.
“I walked office by office, and a significant number of workers were not at their desks by 10 a.m. This is unacceptable,” he said.
“Anambra is an A-state and cannot afford inefficiency. The bad eggs will be flushed out.”
The governor, however, noted that his findings reflected “the good, the bad and the ugly,” commending diligent workers who have remained committed to their responsibilities while condemning those undermining productivity through lateness and absenteeism.
He warned that the era of laxity in the civil service was over, stressing that discipline, accountability, and performance would now define public service in the state.
Soludo also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at transforming the bureaucracy into a modern, results-driven system.
According to him, the administration is focusing on three key pillars: digitalisation of workflows, strengthened supervision and performance evaluation, and continuous improvement of workplace infrastructure.
“The government has invested heavily in creating a conducive working environment. Workers must reciprocate with dedication and efficiency,” he added.
During the visit, the governor interacted directly with staff to assess the prevailing work culture and reinforce expectations.
He emphasised that committed civil servants remain the backbone of his administration’s development agenda.
Describing the inspection as a turning point, Soludo said the move signals a firm resolve to reposition the civil service as a high-performing engine for governance and service delivery in Anambra State.
