Staff of the Abia Line Transport Network have appealed to Governor Alex Otti to approve their integration into the Abia State Civil Service, citing concerns over job security, pension eligibility and equal treatment with workers in other government agencies.
The workers explained that the scheduling or integration of staff in government-owned parastatals rests on the governor’s discretion, noting that where an agency is yet to be scheduled, the governor can issue a directive to that effect. They stressed that integrating Abia Line Transport would make its workforce pensionable at retirement, adding that the agency has a staff strength of about 239 workers with 18 contract staff.
Speaking as concerned employees, some of the workers said their appeal was anchored on Governor Otti’s campaign promise to abolish what they described as the discriminatory classification of workers into “core” and “non-core” civil servants. They noted that while ministries are regarded as core civil service institutions, Abia Line Transport is currently classified as non-core.
Investigations revealed that, in line with the governor’s pledge, most other parastatals and agencies in the state have already been scheduled, with Abia Line Transport reportedly left out. This, the workers said, informed their appeal to be treated like their counterparts in other agencies.
According to them, integration into the civil service would give them a stronger sense of belonging and improve morale among staff. They further noted that Abia Line Transport Network plays a strategic role in promoting the image of Abia State through its daily interstate and intercity transportation of passengers, and therefore deserves equal consideration.
