By Austin Ogwuda
MEMBERS of the Delta State House of Assembly at plenary Tuesday, reversed the termination of the appointment of one Mr Emmanuel Emenetie by the Post Primary Education Board, (PPEB) after 24 years of such act of injustice because he refused to compromise.
Angered by the said injustice, Mr Emenetie wrote a petition which bordered on the unlawful termination of his employment by the Board addressed to the previous Assembly since on the 17th February, 2000.
In the petition, he prayed for his reinstatement as Permanent Secretary to be at par with his colleagues in service, with all financial benefits with effect from the date of termination.
He cried out that as Senior Executive Officer, (Accounts) deployed to the Board, “I have suffered inexplicable intimidation, harassment and intimidation in the hands of my superiors who detested me for no just cause and wanted me out by all means, because I was not willing to do their biddings”.
He also requested the sum of N4.8 million be paid to him as compensation for the number of years he was out of employment.
At Tuesday’s sitting of the House presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor, the petition was exhumed and the State lawmakers granted the petition and stated thus:
“That he (Emenetie) should be paid other benefits he is entitled to, from the date of the unlawful termination of his employment through the rank to the position of Director which is supposed to be at least his present rank and through to the date of his supposed retirement.
“That Mr Emmanuel Emenetie be made to retire at the grade level of a Director. That the Chairman of the Post Primary Education Board and Head of Service of Delta State be directed that the recommendations/directives of the house as contained in paragraphs 1-3 above are complied with forthwith”.
The Speaker commended the Public Petitions Committee that looked into the matter and therefore, directed the Clerk of the House to inform the appropriate authorities of the House’s decision for immediate compliance.