TheCable

The Ebonyi government has urged the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) management to reduce the number of its staff for productivity and so they can be integrated into agriculture schemes.

David Umahi, governor of the state, made the call on Wednesday in Abakaliki while swearing in the newly inaugurated 16-member governing council of the institution.

He urged the board members to assist the school’s management ascertain the staff who should not be employed in the institution.

“These workers will not be sacked, but will be integrated into agricultural schemes that the government is willing to fund,” Umahi said

“You should also pay attention to the quality of staff recruited in the institution to ensure academic excellence and high moral standard by students.”

He said the government can sponsor the governing council’s trip to other institutions to ascertain the modalities employed in handling staff issues.

“This would enable you effect the necessary changes on return, while also determining the appropriate number of faculties and departments actually needed,” he said.

“We would augment the recent school fees reduction with N160million and this would not be easy.”

He also urged the board members to assist the school’s management in activating the staff pensions and gratuities fund-scheme as the government has ‘gazetted’ the institution’s staff.