By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has reiterated his commitment in ensuring that no stone would be left unturn in repositioning the State Civil Service and restore its lost glory.
Governor Mohammed stated this at the commemoration of the International Workers’ Day that held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Township Stadium in Bauchi.
Represented by the State Head of Civil Service Barrister Sani Muhammad Umar, Governor Mohammed urged workers in the Public and Private Sectors to reflect on their performances and see how much they have contributed to the development of their fatherland and address the current challenges affecting the economic, social, security and other vital areas of human endeavors in order to move the country forward, adding that by so doing, workers are living up to the legacy bestowed on them by our past leaders who led a life of selfless service.
“As major stakeholders in the Nigerian Project, workers have the responsibility of striving to salvage the socio-economic and political fortune of our great country. This has become imperative now more than ever before in the face of the mounting adversities such as high cost of living, insecurity and other challenges afflicting the country. The theme of this year’s May Day celebration, which is “Reclaiming the civic space in the midst of economic hardship” underscores the commitment of workers to salvage the current downturn in the nation’s economy”
“My dear workers, since the inception of my administration, measures have been put in place to stabilize salaries and pensions payment. Though we are not yet there, the idea is to have a credible nominal roll that will reliably drive the payroll, block leakages, improve cash flow management and cut unnecessary spending. This will invariably help to free resources to be deployed towards improving the socio-economic wellbeing of our people through the provision of infrastructural facilities and social amenities”
“It is worthy of note that Bauchi State was among the leading States that commenced the implementation of the N70,000 New National Minimum Wage which took effect from November 2024. The civil service will continue to receive the deserved attention in all our packages as has been demonstrated in the recent palliatives distribution to civil servants in the month of Ramadan.
” In another deliberate attempt towards providing succor to our dear Civil Servants, we granted Work Free Days for Civil Servants on Salary Grade Level 12 and Below for a period of four (4) months effective from 1st August to 30th November, 2024. This temporary reduction in the number of working days in the State and Local Government Civil Services for the above category of officers underscores the commitment of this Administration to use agriculture, which is the mainstay of the State’s economy to ensure food security, fight poverty and uplift the standard of living of the citizens in all its ramifications.
“In the same vein, we sold fertilizer to civil servants on loan at subsidized price during the last farming season (2024). Το provide conducive working environment for civil servants, we undertook major renovation of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies, such as the Abubakar Umar Secretariat Complex, the State Primary Health Care Board”
“Another landmark achievement of this Administration is the approval recently granted for the recruitment of about 10,000 officers into the State Civil Service. The exercise is ongoing through a dedicated Recruitment Portal developed and it will last up to 28th May, 2025. Thereafter, other necessary procedures towards conclusion of the exercise and issuance of appointment letters to successful candidates will be undertaken by the Office of the Head of Civil Service in conjunction with the relevant Service Commissions and affected MDAS”
“Within the limited resources at our disposal, we shall continue to extend support to the civil servants as we have been doing during major festivities. It is our responsibility as a Government to make sure that the Civil Service in the State remains vibrant and result-oriented for seamless delivery of dividends of democracy to the good people of the State” The Governor said