Salary Deductions: LG Commissioner Denies Knowledge

The Rivers State Local Government Service Commission has denied knowledge of the alleged deductions of  Health staff salaries by local government councils in the state.

The Commission chairman Chief (Dr) Ephraim Sobere-Etete Owoh who said this during a courtesy call on him by the National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria also said that the commission can only absorb five graduate per local government of the state College of Health Science and Technology.

According to him, the absorption will be based on the specific need of each local government to avoid over staffing.

He also stressed the need for all groups to work in harmony to create  a conducive environment for all workers and ensure the sustenance of the relative  peace being enjoyed in the state.

Chief (Dr) Etete-Owoh  further said that the commission would   remain neutral in the affairs of all labour unions and Associations existing at the third tier government, stressing that the commission would continue to play a fatherly role to all groups, while court decision on matters of check-off dues will be obeyed.

Earlier, the state chairman of the Association, Deacon Nengi Brown had applauded the effort of the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Sampson Parker and Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for the attention given to the health  sector in the state.

He also urged for the establishment of primary healthcare board, while a reference services be established.