Nasarawa Ministry For Local Govt To Use Big Stick On Absentee Workers, To Reward Attentive Staff-Commissioner

Rabiu Omaku

Nasarawa state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Irked over ineptitude exhibited by civil servants at the third tier of government has promised to adopt carrot and stick treatment to workers at the Local Government level and Development Areas in the state.

Honorable Haruna Osegba said the adoption of carrot and stick at the Local Government level would ensure optimum productivity in the state, the Commissioner stated while playing host to Correspondents’ Chapel of NUJ at his office.

Haruna Osegba described the situation as unfortunate that attentive workforce are paid the same amount as salary with civil servants absenting themselves from work.

“We will adopt carrot and stick because those going to work daily despites the percentage payment and the economic situation receives the same percent with those not going to work”.

“We have discovered that about 70-80 percent of staff at the LG levels don’t go to work, but they only come to receive salary at the end of the month, affirming that the ministry for Local Government would not condone such nonchalant behavior amongst civil servants..

While fielding question from Journalist expressed worries over the percentage payment of the salaries of Local Government staff in the last one year.

Stating that the government is worried those workers who put in their best in ensuring the development of the state receives their salaries in piece meal.

“We have put machinery in motion to check this trend and anyone found culpable would face serious disciplinary action,” he added.

Osegba also disclosed that the ministry is working round the clock to ensure all deserving LGAs workers get their promotion in order to boost their morale.

The Honorable Commissioner explained that the Local Government Service Commission had already carried out screening exercise and the list of successful person would soon be out.

Osegba said government would take practical step to ensure that LGAs workers in the state receive their salaries in full to enable them meet their family responsibility.

Earlier, Suleiman Abubakar, Chairman Correspondents’ Chapel appealed to the ministry to consider full payment of salaries to Local Government staff in order to meet their family obligation.

He also appealed that journalists in the state should be carried along for adequate coverage of the ministry activities.

The chairman appreciates the Commissioner for the cordial synergy between Journalists and the ministry for Local Government.

Calling on the Honorable Commissioner to consider the plight of workers in the state by doing the needful through the payment of 100 percent of salary to civil servants at the third tier of government.