Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has reiterated that her Office will continue to do its best in ensuring that the welfare of workers is given the desired attention.
Dr Yemi-Esan stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Separate and Joint Meetings of the National Public Service Negotiating Councils which was held in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria.
Highlighting the theme of the event, “Fostering Partnership between Government and Trade Unions for Effective Governance,” the Head of Service emphasized the need to work in synergy, leading to a harmonious relationship between the Labour Unions and Government, as a pre-requisite to industrial peace in a work environment, stressing that this will promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services.
She added that consistent interaction between both parties will promote and maintain cordial relationships between employer and employees in the Public Service, as well as further enhance sustained industrial peace and harmony in the workplace.
Dr Yemi-Esan, who was represented by the Chairman of the Councils and Permanent Secretary of Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe, disclosed that the Public Service is instrumental to the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and projects of Government for the socio-economic development of human and material resources.
She buttressed that the Federal Government has shown commitment and support in the reforms of the Federal Civil Service by approving the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP 25).
“The FCSSIP 25 is intended to redefine and reposition the Public Service to enable it to respond effectively to the dynamics of the time in creating a conducive work environment for efficient service delivery in the 21st century.
“Accordingly, the sixth pillar of (FCSSIP) 25 is targeted at improving Staff Welfare, with a prioritized initiative for enhancing the value proposition of Civil Servants,“ she explained
She called on all stakeholders at the Federal and State levels to continuously collaborate and embrace the tenets of integrity, merit, performance and transparency in the conduct of Government business in consonance with the ethics of the Service.
Earlier, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by the Acting Head of the Civil Service, Nasarawa State, Mrs Abigail Waya, commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for her transformative agenda on the Civil Service.
She noted with satisfaction the reform programmes of the Federal Government, through the OHCSF, adding that Nigerian workers deserve the best.
In his remarks, the President of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side (TUS), Comrade Benjamin Anthony, urged the Government to take urgent steps in addressing the situation of the country and improve on the electronic monetary transaction system in Nigeria including the various Bank charges on transfer and other sundry transactions.
He lamented that most of the decisions taken at the previous meetings have not been implemented because those decisions are scrutinized by the whims and caprices of the National Council on Establishment, NCE.
Comrade Anthony added that it will be ideal for the JNPSNC (TUS) to be included as a member of the NCE.
