By: Oluwatosin Adesola
Public Servants in Ondo State has been assured of payment of January 2017 salary owed by the previous administration before the end of the year, while arrangements are ongoing by the Ondo State government to implement N35,000 approved wage award to workers in the state.
The state Head of Service, Kayode Ogundele, stated this in Akure at a press conference to kick-start the 2023 Public Service Week in the state.
He added that the current administration has paid six out of seven months backlog of inherited by the People Democratic party Government.
The Head of Service also disclosed that the state government had concluded plans to recruit over 1000 medical doctors and other health workers for all the state-owned hospitals and primary health centres in the state.
He explained that the state government promoted 12, 372 workers during the 2023 promotion exercise, just as he further assured of government’s unwavering commitment to improved workers’ welfare in the state.
“On the issue of the N35,000 wage award, we have discussed with the labour and already we are working at the level of the Accountant General office, to look at what is going to be the cost implication, that we have already generated.
“What we are just trying to do now is to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, and I can assure you that very soon the news will be passed across to the media.
“Like I always say, it is “we” agreeing on what is to be done and then Mr Governor will say go ahead. So, whatever we agree on with the labour we will let you know, but I can assure you that on the issue of wage award Ondo State will not carry last”, Ogundele revealed.
He said: “The advertisement for the recruitment of these health personnel will be out and the government is planning to recruit over 1000 health workers.
“Our goals on this is that by November we should be able to bring them on board so that they can be part of the system in order to settle this issue of ‘japa’ syndrome.
“We can not stop any workers from working elsewhere, but if you have decided not to work with the state government again, workers should be sincere and courageous enough to let the government know.
“Just be kind enough to give us the required notice. We have seen the cases where some officers will travel abroad and be collecting salary until there is verification of workers particularly in the health sector before we could confirm they are no more with us.
“So we don’t want this situation again in our system. Don’t be a burden on our wage bill, because anyone who found culpable will immediately be dismissed because you have violated the terms of agreement and appointment.”
On the recruitment of teachers in the state, Ogundele said; “we agreed that people are retiring in the teaching service but we will also agree that just about two years ago, government recruited about 1,200 teachers into the primary schools. While work is still ongoing for the recruitment of secondary schools teachers and I can assure you very soon something positive will be done.
“Recently, Mr. Governor approved the retirement elongation of teachers in the teaching service commission in our schools. Now instead of retiring at the age of 60years, teachers have been given the opportunity to retire at the age of 65years for us not to lose experience teachers.”
The Ondo HoS, who said the focus of this year Public Service Week celebration was to acknowledge and commemorate the prime place of Public Service in the development of African States also gives recognition to the institution and practitioners of the Public Service-the career officers whose roles are otherwise mistakenly taken as of a great deal less in importance.
“For all this and more, the public servants have the obligation to show understanding and demonstrate industry and dedication to the worker-friendly administration of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
“The 2023 edition of the Anniversary is on the theme: “Bureaucratic Impact on Investment Promotion in Ondo State”. The Anniversary has been flagged off by the Federal Public Service and the States of the federation are to follow suit, as its the practice.
“In Ondo State, a three-day programme has been lined up for the celebration. The dates chosen are Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th October, 2023.
The Chairman planning committee of the Public Service Week, Mrs Funke Dare -Atuse in her welcome address said a successful government is built on the foundation of competent, versatile public servants.
“Without mincing words,I can say that Ondo State Public Servants are competent, versatile and dedicated.”
