By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
In a remarkable development, the management of the Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA, under the leadership of the General Manager, Hon. Frank Nkem Nzewodu, has strengthened its compliance with the Governor Hope Uzodimma’s 3R Government as it relates to discipline, efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity. This was attested to on Thursday, the 7th of March, with latecomers facing punitive measures of being locked outside the gate.
That faithful day witnessed the defaulting workers standing in groups close to the Port-Harcourt Road, Owerri, to discuss the development, while those who mounted guard at the entrance to the agency, could only allow non-staff to access the Owerri capital development regulatory body’s office in order to carry out their lawful activities. Our reporter gathered that the action was taken to deter future occurrences as previous warnings were largely unheeded to.
Addressing the defaulting workers, the OCDA Director of Administration and Finance, Mrs. Adaugo Okwara, who expressed regrets over the negative attitudes of some of the OCDA workers in terms of reporting early to work, added that it was wrong for a worker to be non-compliant to the rules of engagement, and against this backdrop, choosing to be self-indulgent.
Mrs. Okwara, while granting them pardon and directing that the gate should be opened for them, however, warned that such act of indiscipline would not be tolerated again, given that OCDA as a critical agency in the state strives towards enhancing excellence in its activities, in line with the noble philosophy of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration concerning optimized public service delivery.
She counseled them to embrace change of attitudes as a way of reciprocating, as well as supporting the actualization of the good works of the governor, whom she noted has done well for the state, especially for the workers. She also solicited their support and cooperation to the Hon. Nzewodu’s leadership in his efforts at engendering transformation as well as enhancing productivity at OCDA.
In his reactions, the OCDA Deputy Director of Operations, Mr. Chima Obiwuru (Nke Nke Eny), disclosed that the OCDA under the leadership of Hon. Frank Nzewodu, was poised to make a difference in service delivery, adding that the present management of OCDA has pursued this transformative agenda with vigour and without relenting, including working on the attitudes of some workers considered unproductive and misconduct.
Mr. Obiwuru, further revealed that for OCDA to meet up with its mandate, the issue of discipline must be taken seriously, thus encouraging the workers to be at their best in providing services for the good of the state and according to the progressive path laid by the state governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. He used the opportunity and cautioned the pardoned workers against further lateness to work.
Meanwhile, a worker who pleaded not to be on print, while acknowledging their shortcomings, however, assured that the measure would help them to sit-up, as he promised cooperation with the wonderful initiatives of the management towards making OCDA better and more efficient.
