IT is baffling, indeed worrisome how people often and unconstructively criticize government policies without providing alternatives or superior arguments, rather relying on emotions and sentiments to project their views.

That is what is rearing its ugly head in Abia State now as some few disgruntled elements are trying to make something out of the state government’s recent decision to transfer non-indigene civil servants in the state to their state of origin to ensure that the new minimum wage is implemented in the state optimally, considering the scarce resources at its disposal.

The most annoying of these unfounded criticisms was that of the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Lucius Ugorji, who described the action as “discriminatory and a serious contravention of section 42 (1), (2), and (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the country”.

According to him: “The implementation of this policy amounts to discrimination on grounds of place of origin. This policy negates true federalism and constitutes a serious obstacle to our march to nationhood”.

With due respect to Ugorji, his recent statement on the matter was not only hasty but inciting and uncalled for, considering that we all know that there is no true federalism in Nigeria today. If there is true federalism, why should the Federal Government that controls 55 per cent of national resources force a national minimum wage benchmark of N18000 on states, even when it is clear that states do not have such money to pay workers and embark on other developmental projects.

On the sections of the constitution that was quoted or referred to by Bishop Ugorji, the state government has not contravened any part of the constitution or done anything illegal by its action. Rather, government simply explored an amicable way of resolving the minimum wage crisis confronting state governments across the country.

Or if Bishop Ugorji according to his own understanding of the constitution believes that the action is illegal, he should advise or assist those that will be affected to go to court and challenge the government, instead of adjudicating and passing judgment on the pages of newspaper over an issue that is purely within the power of the state government.

He should blame the Federal Government for forcing minimum wage on state governments in spite of the inequitable distribution of national resources. I think he and other critics are pouring venom on state governments without justification.

I strongly believe that good governance is not all about paying minimum wage or salaries to workers. It goes beyond that and could be challenging if a state cuts its coat more than its cloth.

Before venturing into politics, Governor T.A Orji paid his dues as a seasoned civil servant and so knows and understands the civil service rules and procedures more than his critics. Since he assumed office as Governor in 2007, he has had a cordial working relationship and good understanding with the workers in the state to the extent that the state had not witnessed any strike under him.

During his campaign for second term in office, he promised the workers speedy promotions if he won. Immediately he won and was sworn-into office, he promoted all the workers to the next grade level, not next step. He also embarked on the restructuring of the state civil service for effective performance. Though some criticized his reform agenda, especially in the civil service, but many have lauded it too.

It is obvious that every government policy or action will be perceived as positive by some and negative by others. But of utmost importance is whether such policy or action will impact positively on majority of the people as is the case with the decision to transfer non-indigenous civil servants in the state.

The action of the Abia State government is not new or unprecedented. It is a common practice in the country. So there is nothing wrong with it, except that some crooks who have been feeding fat on government resources through the manipulation of workers’ salaries and ghost workers want the status quo to remain. It is public knowledge that Governor Orji has personally and humbly written to his colleagues in other states to absorb the returnee civil servants in their states under “transfer of service”. He has made it clear severally that his government is ready to absorb indigenes of the state that will be affected in other states. So why are some people, including a high profile cleric, crying more than the bereaved, as if they love them more than the state government?

If the action will enable the state government to meet up with the demands of the workers, especially on the minimum wage and save them from the embarassement of workers’ strike as witnessed in Enugu State recently, so be it for it is better, unless majority of the civil servants in the state are non-indigenes which is impossible.

Clerics of different religious denominations are enjoined to be uniting and not dividing tools, especially as we are all Christians under the banner of one God.

Mrs. AGNES UDORJI, a retired headmistress, wrote from Owerri Road, Aba.