By Praise Chinecherem
The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) in Anambra State has charged workers in the state to eschew all forms of absenteeism, truancy, lateness to work and other vices contrary to civil service regulations.
Chairman, Barr. Vin Ezeaka who gave the warning during Board Members’ ongoing familiarization tour of the 21 Local Government Areas in the State, also frowned at inclusion of deceased staff and supposed retirees on the payroll system.
He said such acts result to low productivity and affect Council wage bills, stressing that workers salaries would soon be paid based on the number of times they come to work.
He said, “The familiarization tour is in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s matching order to bring Anambra State Local Government System to its original mandate geared towards ensuring sustainable development of the grass roots.
“The purpose of the tour to restore the lost glory of the local governments as well as attending to the challenges facing the various Councils which hampers productivity and effective Service delivery.
“The present Board of the Commission was inaugurated on October 19 to transform, revive and bring back discipline in the Unified Local Government System and its already lost glory.
“The resolution of the board to introduce Biometric Electronic Monitoring Machine in the Local Government System is to monitor workers attendance to work. Workers salaries will soon be paid based on the number of times they come to work.”
Underscoring strict adherence to due process by Council Staff while discharging their duties, Ezeaka directed that all financial irregularities practice in the local government System be stopped while disciplinary actions will be taken again defaulters.
“The issue of sharing of Staff Claims without due process must stop. Government has promised to bring back local government councils revenue windows back to local governments provided the workers are ready to change their attitude to work and abide by governments policies and directives,” he added.
The LGSC boss who also assured rewards for best performing workers to boast their moral and increase productivity, disclosed that officers above Grade Level 10 would no longer be appointed as Cashier in the system.
“Head of Department found wanting in his or her duties should be demoted. The commission will no longer condone any negative attitude that will undermine the Commission and Local Government at large.
Also speaking, Member 1 of the Anambra State Local Government Service Commission Awka, Hon. Azubuike Okoye called on Council workers to live up to expectation.
He extolled the Council Chairman, Hon. Kingsley Obi for sustaining adequate security in Ihiala Council Area, stressing the need to shun conflicts in the Council.
He urged Heads of Departments to embrace the ongoing change in the system and cooperate with the Commission to achieve its set objectives to move the Local Government System to greater height.
Earlier, Transition Committee Chairmen Ihiala, Hon. Kingsley Obi and Ekwusigo counterpart Hon. Obi Chimezie James, commended the Commission for its efforts towards repositioning the Local Government System through its policies and activities.
They advised workers to be more disciplined, productive and dedicated to their duties for efficiency and effective Local Government System, promising to be co-operative and assist in any area to make the system work better.
Head of Local Government Administration Ihiala, Barr. Williams Uduchukwu and the HLGA Ekwusigo, Mrs Rose Ndibe, in their vote of thanks, commended the Commission for its laudable programs and activities aimed at improving workers attitude to work and performance.
They maintained that all hands must be on deck to support the Commission’s agenda designed to take the Local Government System higher.
Chairmen of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ihiala Local Government, Comrade Collins Nwafor and his Ekwusigo counterpart, Comrade Humphrey Uzokwe promised workers’ continued support to the Commission’s set objectives by working harmoniously with the Council Management.
“We’ll also improve attendance to work, abide by the Commissions directives and policies provided that the schedule of duties taken by the State Government be brought back together with improved workers welfare as promised by the board.
Other Commission members present at the visit include Member 2 of the Commission Hon. Uchenna Okafor, Member 4, Hon Mrs Anthonia Tabansi Okoye and the Secretary of the Board Barr. Stan Nwattah and Comr. Nnamdi Nweke Hod ESD/PRO LGSC Awka.
Addressing workers at the Council Secretariats Ihiala and Ekwusigo respectively, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission Awka, Barr. Vin Ifeanyi Ezeaka, noted that Barr. Ezeaka, who stated emphatically that urged Council Staff to eschew all forms of absenteeism, truancy, lateness to work, act of condoning Staff who are supposed to retire from service as well as inclusion of deceased Staff on the payroll system of the Council, adding that these causes low productivity and affects Council wage bills.
