‘No ID number, no pay,’ Abia Head of Service tells workers
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Abia State Head of Service, Sir Onyii Wamah, has directed civil servants to immediately enroll in the newly-introduced Abia State Social Identity Number (ABSSIN), warning that only those who have obtained the identity number would be paid their salaries, henceforth.
Wamah, who kick-started the ABSSIN enrollment process for Abia Public and Civil Servants in his office Wednesday, said that the exercise was compulsory for all workers, as well as other citizens and residents in the state.
”It is a must for all Civil/Public servants in the State,” the Head of Service said in a statement endorsed on his behalf by the Public Relations Officer in his office, Adaeze Ralph Igbokwe, adding that the exercise was expected to last for 31 days, from August 10, 2021 when he was enrolled in the scheme.
He urged Abia Civil/Public Servants to prioritize their enrollment in the ABSSIN scheme in their own interest, assuring that government would provide Desk Officers in the respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies and at local government headquarters to make the exercise accessible and easy for the workers.
Executive Secretary/Permanent Secretary, Abia State Planning Commission, Dr. Mrs. Nnenna Chikezie, in her speech, explained that ABSSIN would, to a great extent, assist Government in ascertaining the actual number of the workforce in the State, with a view to providing more job opportunities for the citizenry.
Dr. Mrs. Chikezie further outlined other benefits to include facilitating the planning and the distribution of infrastructure in all the local Government Areas of the state, provision of Social Services, access to scholarships and other educational benefits.
According to the Executive Secretary, indigenes and non-indigenes residing in the State are expected to obtain their identity number before or by September 31, 2021.
She said that those using android phones can register in their homes, using the online self-registration portal at abssin.online.com
Abia State Planning Commission is handling the ANSSIN enrolment scheme on behalf of the state government, in collaboration with Appmart Integrated Limited.
Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, had launched the scheme last month and enrolled immediately.