By Bridget Ikyado
The governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia has warned civil servants in the state to shun truancy, charging them to ensure effective service delivery.
Alia, gave the warning during a meeting he held with Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Units of the State civil service in Makurdi.
At the meeting which was held at the Secretariat Complex in Makurdi, the governor further charged them to ensure that staff adhere to diligence, hard work accountability, transparency, confidentiality, discipline and team work.
“Accountability has to be built in your heart, the confidentiality we used to have in the service needs to be returned, as we take charge of our life style, so should the job be, ” he said.
He also urged the top civil servants to always lead by example.
“If you show at work late, close when you want or you are absent, how do you want your subordinates to act differently, ” he queried.
He further called for a drastic change in their attitude towards work for best results to be gotten.
“I am here to serve you and the state; you have accepted the Job to also serve the state in various capacities, I call for a uniform style of work to justify the prompt payment of salaries,
“We need to revive, revamp and reform the civil service and we have to change the narratives
“We must recalibrate to avoid embarrassing scenes and situations, this administration will not tolerate laziness and truancy, ” he said.
Alia also emphasised on the need for every civil servant to dress properly to work as it shows how one values the job.
“Let us bring back aura, respect and value again into the civil service,” he appealed.
The governor listed areas where reforms will be carried out in the state civil service to include ; the automating of the entire civil service, which would register one’s presence or absence as part of efforts to enhance staff productivity.
He said the reforms would ensure, that civil servants get their promotions as and when due.
Alia also warned them against diverting overheads to their personal needs, saying it is meant to take care of the needs of their various offices.
According to the governor, retirees will henceforth get their gratuity and other entitlements within120 days after retirement.
He urged Heads of departments to start holding weekly meetings with staff to know their staff strength and their weaknesses, to know areas to be improved upon.
The governor added that affordable homes would be made available to workers on owner – occupier basis.
Alia also spoke of plans by his administration to reinvigorate the State Micro Finance Bank to encourage small businesses for workers, especially for agricultural purposes and horticulture.
“I encourage you all to have farms, but farming around office premises must stop by November,” he said.
The governor called for the rehabilitation and furnishing of the state civil service secretariat by the Ministry of Works as he said facilities especially restoration of light, water and other amenities would be gradually fixed.
He, however , commended all Heads of Departments for working and attaining the positions they are currently occupying saying “more is expected of you.”
In his remark, the state Deputy Governor, Mr Sam Ode, stressed the need for training and retraining of staff to guarantee their optimal performance.
“Gone are the days when civil service was grounded, office locked up, non payment of salaries, work days were reduced to two days as the workers had three days for farming,” he said.
Earlier, the Head of State Civil Service, Mr Moses Ogbogbo Ode thanked the governor and his executive members for finding time to have a first hand meeting with the staff.
He pledged the support of the civil service to the growth and development of the state. (vitalnewsngr.com)
