RSG Warns Civil Servants Against Partisan Politics

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State (right), in a handshake with the Chief Executive Officer of Monier Construction Company (MCC), Senator John Mbata, during the inspection of Rumuolumeni Road project in Port Harcourt recently

The Rivers State Government has threatened to sack any civil servant found to be openly involved in partism politics.
The Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of a two-day seminar, organised by the Rivers State Civil Service Commission for members in Elele, also said that the issue of casualisation is not known to the service.
Godwins said that, the civil service rules forbid open involvement in politics by civil servants, stressing that anyone that goes contrary to the rules does not have any business being in the service.
He said that the seminar would equip members of the State Civil Service Commission with the requisite skills and knowledge to tackle the problem on ground, adding that the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration was desirous of bringing back the lost glory of the service.
Earlier in his paper, the head of Service, described as appropriate, the theme of the seminar, designed to reposition the service.
“The idea of repositioning of the Civil Service which is the theme of the seminar is very apt and timely, and presupposes that the service has been on a wrong track, and deserves to be re-diverted or re-routed to its proper direction”, he argued.
In his welcome address, the State Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Chief Oris- U. Onyiri said that the seminar was timely and strategic for members of the Commission as it was meant to reposition the Commission for efficient and effective service delivery.
Onyiri said that there was need to develop appropriate mechanisms for knowing good performers and a system for their reward and motivation.
“Just as we apply disciplinary measures for erring civil servants, we must take proactive steps to encourage good people to do good.
“We are called to take action, and solve problems, the problems and challenges are created by people and people must raise their thinking and provide creative and innovative solutions to the issues”, he said.
In her presentation, a former Chairman of the Commission, Professor Roseline Konya, stressed the need for incentives to hardworking and dedicated staff to enhance productivity in the service.
Konya also stressed the need for regular payment of salaries, while promotions be given to those that are due.
She also warned the Commission against receiving gratifications from Civil Servants while efforts should be made to regularly fill the Rivers quota in the Federal Civil Service in the interest of the State.