JUSTIFY YOUR WAGES, SYLVA TELLS BAYELSA WORKERS

Governor Timipre Sylva has queried the rationale behind the demand of the labour union in the state for the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage. According to him, the wages received by the workers are not in any way commensurate with the services they are offering the state.

Sylva's administration has indicated readiness to pay the minimum wage. Speaking at the inauguration of the first female head of service and six new permanent secretaries, he decried the situation where civil servants report late to duty.

While noting that civil servants must be ready to offer services that were commensurate with their salaries, he implored the new Head of Service, Mrs. Gloria Izoufo to initiate reforms that would instill discipline in the service.

Sylva expressed displeasure that the Bayelsa State Civil Service was yet to live up to expectations, adding that the new head of service must make it functional to drive the vision of the administration.

'The civil servants in the state do not report early to duty and the service rendered must be commensurate to the salaries paid by government. Head of service, you are going to be on top of a civil service that I consider today not very functional. People don't perform the job they are employed and paid to do.

You must ensure that you make this civil service work and instill discipline. The civil service remains the engine room of any government that would want to succeed,' he said, calling on all the senior civil servants to use their positions to improve the standards.

The new permanent secretaries inaugurated include the Solicitor-General, Mrs. Biobelemoye Onye, Dr. Boumokumo Kpokiri, Dr. Martha Akpana, Mr. Durban Whyte, Mr. Okpoi Ebimotimi and Dr. Henry Simeni.

Izoufo who takes over from Revd Julius Oworibo was until her appointment, permanment secretary, General Services. She promised to work in line with the directive of the governor to build the capacity of the workers to enhance productivity.