BENIN CITY – The Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Igbaekemen Jerry Obazele has challenged Permanent Secretaries to wake up to their responsibilities in tackling the ugly trend of indiscipline which has become the bane of the civil service.
He emphasized that the growing trend of indiscipline which is escalating by the day will no longer be tolerated as the government will henceforth view all acts of indiscipline with all seriousness, and appropriate punishment melted out to offenders.
The Head of Service regretted that truancy and financial recklessness on the part of revenue collectors have been noticed by the State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, have the meeting to put the Permanent Secretaries on notice that the State Government is dissatisfied with the trend.
He posited that the loss of revenue to the state will greatly affect the developmental efforts of the State.
He told the Permanent Secretaries that the dwindling allocation from the federation account has made it impossible for so many states in the federation to pay salaries, but stated that the financial prudence adopted by Governor Oshiomhole has made it possible for salaries to be paid up to date. Hence all financial recklessness and leakages must be plugged.
While noting that not all the staff are bad, the said bad eggs must be fished out and shown the exit door if they refused to change.
Mr. Obazele told the Permanent Secretaries that if their actions are guided by fairness and objectivity they do not have any reason to be afraid.
He directed them to tabulate the disciplinary action they have taken since January 2014 till date and submit to his office by next week.
The HOS informed them that his office will set up a committee to have forth monitored the activities of workers including those in parastatals.
On the contributory pension scheme, the Head of Service told the Permanent Secretary of the decision of the Government which is to commence the deduction with effect from March but that the date of commencement is May 2015.
He said the State Government has not appointed PFAS and will not do so, as it has preserved the right of the worker to do so.
He said the amount to be deducted will be paid into an account known as “Transitional Contributory Account.”
The HOS refuted the allegation of the trade unions to the effect that the money will be paid into an individual account.
He urged the Permanent Secretaries to hold an interactive session with the workers in their various ministries to educate them on the position of the state government.