Most civil servants in Imo State abstain from work on Mondays.
Mondays are usually observed as sit-at- home declared by the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB.
The separatist group had made the declaration some years ago to demonstrate its displeasure with the detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The declaration normally goes with restriction of movement across the five South East States.
Kanu is undergoing trial for terrorism charges leveled against him by the Nigerian government.
The Imo State government, in its reaction to the development, said it is unacceptable for workers to abstain from work on Mondays.
Declan Emelumba, State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said henceforth workers, who indulge such act, would face sanctions.
He stated that the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, will withhold salaries of workers who abstain from work on Mondays.
In a statement in Owerri, Emelumba said “Consequently, the government will henceforth view such a rascally conduct as a direct challenge to its authority, which will attract sanctions.
“Going forward, His Excellency the governor of Imo State Sen Hope Uzodimma, has directed that any civil servant who absents himself /herself from duty on Mondays or any other day for that matter will lose his/ her salary in addition to other punishments that may be recommended against him/her.
“Consequently, permanent secretaries and heads of parastatals and heads of agencies of government are hereby directed to immediately commence daily roll calls of workers to ensure that those who disobey this order are meant to suffer the consequences.” the statement concluded