RSG To Unravel Ghost Workers’ Mystery

Rivers State Government is working hard to unravel the mystery behind the seemingly intractable ghost workers syndrome in the state civil service.

Details of the strategies being adopted to tackle the menace were not made public, but the state Head of Service (HOS), Mrs Esther Anucha, said at a new year prayer and rededication service in Port Harcourt that Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration was determined now more than ever before to get at the root of the ghost workers syndrome.

Mrs Anucha expressed dismay at the ever escalating salary bill of  the state and noted that it was unacceptable, hence, the state government was determined to check the trend.

The Rivers HOS therefore charged the state civil servants to brace up for committed service this year even as she advised them to put their trust in God.

She also commended them for  their peaceful disposition during the one-week fuel subsidy removal strike that almost paralysed the nation’s economy. She expressed gratitude to the state workers for their contributions in the sustenance of the economic stability of the state and the harmonious working relationship between them and the state government.

She said the positive contributions of the state civil servants matter a lot in repositioning the service for greater efficiency and productivity and urged them to proffer meaningful solutions that would address the problems and prospects of the service.

The HOS was full of gratitude to Governor Amaechi for his unprecedented support to the state civil service, especially in the area of implementation of the new minimum wage, allocation of cars to directors and the promise of a special welfare package to all public servants.

She assured that the moves would be paid into individual’s staff salary accounts as soon as the approved funds were released by the Ministry of Finance.

The chairman of the occasion, Sir Ngo Martyns-Yellowe, in his goodwill message, commended Mrs Anucha for introducing innovative and dynamic programmes in the civil service and promised to add value to the service.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr George Feyii, however advised civil servants to remain committed in their support to the HOS as well as render selfless and dedicated service to promote the economy of the state.

In his exhortation at the service, Dr Steve Ogan of the Church of God Mission, spoke on the need for civil servants to rise and shine in the 12th year season and urged leaders to speak faith and hope to their subordinates

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa (left), receiving a letter of credence from the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb.Sonni Yusuf in South Africa, recently.