By Emmanuel Antswen
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has promised to settle the entitlements of retiring civil servants within four months after departure.
Alia made the promise on Wednesday in Makurdi during a meeting with heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“Going forward, retired civil servants have a maximum of 120 days to get their entitlements; this is our commitment to them,” he declared.
He urged the officials to ensure discipline, hardwork and diligence, while emphasising accountability, transparency, confidentiality and team work.
He also urged them to be punctual.
“If you come late to work, close when you want or you are absent, how do you want your subordinates to act differently?
“There has to be a drastic change in attitude towards work for optimal results. That is what the Benue people want from us.
“Accountability has to be built in your heart; the confidentiality we used to have in the service needs to be returned.
“I am here to serve you and the state; you have accepted the job to also serve 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 recaliberate to avoid embarrassing scenes and situations. This administration will not tolerate laziness and truancy.”
Alia directed that civil servants must dress properly to show respect for their offices.
“Let us bring back the aura, respect and value into the civil service,” he said
He promised that staff due for promotions would enjoy it promptly, and called for weekly meetings to review performance, strengths and weaknesses.
Alia said that affordable homes would be constructed, just as the Benue Micro Finance Bank would be revived to encourage small businesses for workers, especially for agricultural purposes.
“I encourage you all to have farms, but farming around office premises must stop by November,” he said.
He said the State Civil Service Secretariat would be gradually rehabilitated by the Ministry of Works with light, water and other amenties restored.
He commended the officials for the hardwork that earned them their current status, but reminded them that more was expected of them.
In his remarks, Mr Sam Ode, the Deputy Governor, said that training and retraining of staff for optimal service delivery would commence soon.
“Gone are the days when the civil service was grounded, offices locked up, salaries unpaid and work days reduced to two per week.
“Now, things are better and everyone must sit up. We want results,” he said.
Earlier, the Head of the Civil Service, Mr. Moses Ode, had thanked the governor and his executive members for finding time to have a first hand meeting with members of staff.
He pledged the civil service’s support and commitment to effective service delivery.
(NAN)
