—– Added those who had been previously off the payroll, allowing them to continue receiving their monthly pension without interruption.
Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Governor Kefas Agbu has reiterated his administration’s commitment in restoring the dignity of the civil service in the state.
The Governor stated this while declaring open Five days Professional Development Workshop for Secretaries of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’S), held at the Shield Hotel, Jalingo, the Taraba State Capital.
Governor Kefas Agbu represented by the Head of Service, Suzi Nathan said,
“As Secretaries and engine room of administration, you are expected to perform a strategic and integral function in the implementation of our lofty programmes and policies in the ‘Moving Forward” agenda of my government.
He said that the workshop comes after a previous retreat held in to 26th the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja from the 24th of July, 2023 for Commissioners, Legislatures, Judicial Officers, Permanent Secretaries, and some Political Appointees with the goal of increasing capacity and productivity.
“Therefore, the current one is a component of the ongoing strategic roadmap to not only repositioning the bureaucracy but also to get the staff, especially the Secretaries, on board with the objectives and direction that this administration is moving towards to fully implement its development agenda without hindrance from any quarter.
The Governor urge participants to listen carefully, adding that they would be suitably prepared to adapt to the modern and emerging trends of in bureaucracy and administration by virtue to the seminal papers that the workshops seasoned resource persons would present, which will cover a wide range of topics.
“I thus, urge you all to pay close attention to this workshop, which has been organized with a lot of resources and time to enhance your capacities and enable you to carry out your important tasks to best of your abilities.
“Furthermore, my goal is to transform and institutionalize a Civil Service in which everyone is adaptive and compliant in the areas of computer literacy in a bid to entrench an e-governance platform that will boost efficiency, eliminate bureaucratic red tape, and enhance transparency.
“This workshop promises to bring our secretaries up to date in line with my vision for the service. I can guarantee you that regular training seminars like this one will be extended to other cadres in the Civil Service as well.
“You will recall that in my inauguration speech, the welfare of workers and pensioners was top on my five-point development agenda for Taraba State and the revitalization of the public service formed part of the that focus where I clearly stated that My administration will restore the integrity of the Civil Service which has been bastardised through favouritism and political considerations.
“We will give the Civil Service a better orientation with a doing view to restoring its professionalism. In going this, we will be fair and firm as we act only in pursuance of public interest and Public Service Rule”.
‘Therefore, as this administration stabilizes and puts its development plan into action, I ask for the steadfast support, loyalty, and collaboration of the whole Civil Service in implementing our strategies and goals.
He reassure participants that his administration will continue to place a high priority on your welfare because a happy workforce will be committed, diligent, and forward-thinking.
Governor Kefas Agbu disclose that despite the empty coffers he met on the ground since taking office on May 29, 2023, he have made sure that employee salaries are paid on time.
“In addition to meeting our commitments to pay pensioners, we have also added those who had previously been off the payroll, allowing them to continue receiving their monthly pensions without interruption.
He further disclose that, the State Government will soon conduct a thorough biometric data capture to establish the true size of the workforce, its strengths and limitations, and where to improve through additional employment of our talented young men and women in a transparent manner. In the same vein, we will continue to prioritize employee promotion and welfare.
He praise the office of the Head of Service for the wonderful initiative, which will Undoubtedly herald a new era of productive, and rewarding workshop.
Earlier, the Head of Service Suzi Nathan represented by the Permanent Secretary Manpower Development and Training, Chiegil Benjamin Joseph appreciated Governor Kefas Agbu for the release of funds for the workshop, considering its importance.
She pointed out that when Governor Kefas Agbu came on board on 29th May, 2023, he instill discipline and enhance the capacity building of the state civil servants for effective and efficient service delivery.
“The Secretaries are very critical in achieving the objective of the civil service, while the Executive Arm is saddle with the responsibility to formulate and implement policies and programs of government.
“We are entrenching a culture of paradigm shift in Taraba State Civil Service aimed at motivating the productive workforce and to restore work ethics so as to take the service to an enviable height.
She call on participants to demostrate a strong commitment to actualize government’s initiative to inculcate an efficient, productive and incorruptible culture in the Civil Service
Also speaking, a paper presenter, Professor Francis Nchuchuwa said,
“At the end of the Workshop, we expect participants to be forth coming in their responsibility and be able to carry out their task.
“We are talking of service delivery, we are talking of new government coming in with new things, so they have to be fully equipped to do their job far better.
He said that hence forth participants would embrace change into government.
“Governor Kefas Agbu has brought in new ideas and he cannot do it alone, he need them to do it for him and that is why we are equipping them to do it better.
“We are equipping them to do more effectively, we are not saying that they have not been doing it, but to add so that they can do more better than before – he said.