Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has assured that the state government will continue to encourage and reward hard work among civil servants in the state.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Nuhu Gidado, spoke at the 2016 Productivity Day held in Bauchi. Abubakar said that his administration would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare in the state.
Thirty workers in the state, made up of 25 civil servants on the state government’s workforce and five workers from the private sector in the state, were rewarded for their hard work and commitment at the occasion.
Abubakar explained that the Productivity Day was set aside by the Federal Government, adding that the Bauchi State government will continue to support all Federal Government programmes.
The governor, who defined productivity as a means of self-reliance, empowerment, quality improvement, and product, stated that there was the need to celebrate the day in the state.
According to him, on assumption of office on May 29, 2015, his administration inherited backlog of salaries, adding that his administration “embarked on a verification exercise with a view to fishing out ghost workers”.
He assured that efforts were being put in place by the government to ensure review of salary in the state as well as prompt payment of salary.
In his address, the Head of Service, Alhaji Liman Bello, expressed appreciation to the state government on its swift reaction to the circular from the Federal Government which requested states to celebrate the Day at their convenience.
The Head of Civil Service further informed that committee was even set to handle all preparations for the Day to make sure that the right people are selected to be awarded. ” It is interesting to note that the occasion had not been observed in the state since 2012. This goes to show the level of seriousness and concern of His Excellency to the plight and welfare of civil servants,” he stated.
He said that the five dedicated staff selected from the private sector in the state were from Faria School, Immaculate School, Garu Macro Finance Bank, Allied Company, and Compact Cleaning and Hygiene Service.
He said that their respective organizations would receive recognition awards.