As part of efforts to strengthen the workforce while increasing professionalism and efficiency in service delivery, the Lagos State Government has recruited 1,561 officers into the State Civil Service and deployed same to various Ministries/Agencies according to manpower need of the service in the last one year.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa during the ongoing Ministerial Press Briefing of the Lagos State Government to commemorate the first year in Office of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
She said that the State Government has also reviewed the policy on conversion in the service to promote lateral conversion in the interest of equity, justice and harmonisation, adding that approval has also been granted for the unification of the Schemes of Service, career progression and terminal Salary Grade Levels with effect from January 1, 2016 for all Officers across the State Public Service as well as the en-block payment of leave allowance.
L-R: Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, with Permanent Secretaries; Public Service Office, Mr. Taofik Fashola; Ministry of Information & Strategy, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi and Office of the Chief of Staff, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye during the Y2016 Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the First Year in Office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016.
According to her, “The conversion policy was reviewed to further enhance the career progression of officers in the service. The new policy has now addressed issues whereby Officers on grade level 12 and above are usually stepped down by one grade level upon conversion from a sub-cadre to officer cadre.”
Mrs. Ademola also revealed that the present administration has elevated twenty-five senior public servants to the post of Permanent Secretary as part of measure to ensure that business of government is manned by seasoned and motivated public servants capable of scaling up the enviable status of Lagos as “Centre of Excellence”.
Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola; Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Taofik Fashola and his counterpart in Ministry of Information & Strategy, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi during the Y2016 Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the First Year in Office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016.
On Housing Loans to Public Servants, the Head of Service said the loan facility available to public servants has been increased from N50 million to N100 million in order to ensure that many more members of staff have access to the facility.
She said in the year under review, a total sum of N147.6million was disbursed to 667 public servants as loan for staff housing loan facility.
Responding to a question on issue of double promotion, the Head of Service reiterated that a committee is in place to look into recognition of high fliers who should benefit from career progression in the service, adding that modalities for it will soon be made known.
“Let me emphasize that the State Government acknowledges and appreciates the roles of labour unions in the state, not only as a rallying point for workers but also as creators of wealth and partners in the strive for social harmony and economic progress.
“This realization and appreciation of the roles of the unions explains the harmonious relationship between the state government and trade unions in Lagos State.
“This administration is also committed to addressing swiftly the welfare needs of public servants in the state. The result, no doubt, has been the existence of a peaceful government-labour cooperation and collaboration,” she said.