May Day: Imoke Hands Out 5000 Laptop Computers To Civil Servants
BEVERLY HILLS, CA, May 01, (THEWILL) â€' The Cross River State Government has presented 5000 laptop computers to civil and public servants in the state in its bid to ensure a paperless civil service as well as build capacity to improve on service delivery.
Governor Liyel Imoke, who handed out the computers during the re-launch of Computer Acquisition Programme for Civil/Public Servants as part of activities marking the 2014 May Day celebration, at the Abraham Odia, stadium, University of Calabar, Calabar, observed that the concept is intended to digitalise the state civil service.
Dressed in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) uniform, Imoke, who was named Nigeria's Most Labour Friendly Governor, noted that the idea was mooted a long time ago with the aim of enhancing service delivery in the state.
The governor urged civil servants to key into the programme because if successful, the state would be the first in the country.
According to Imoke, 'The computer acquisition programme has been re-launched with in-build mechanisms to address the teething issues (such as inadequate power supply, poor after-sale care, lack of replacement parts and training, etc) associated with its previous incarnation.
'There have been some significant enhancements in the service. Promotion in the service is more closely linked to merit than ever before. It is increasingly prevalent that professionalism, excellence and qualifications are stronger platforms for promotion and aid our endeavours to enhance worker welfare and project the dignity of labour.
'Similarly, the regular payment of pensions and gratuity to our retired and retiring public officers are a manifestation of our intent to honour our promises and commitments to workers in the state.'
On the civil servants housing scheme, Imoke stated that, 'The House to House Mass Housing Scheme is being introduced to provide another 4000 units of houses to civil servants and we are improving our support to civil servants, through the provision of soft loans, for the refurbishment and acquisition of vehicles.'
He assured that a few issues which remain unresolved like the yearly salary increase, the review of the Consolidated Health Weigh-in-Allowance for Salary Structure (CONHESS), Consolidated RATAWU and arrears of promotion JUSUN will be resolved before the end of the present administration.
The governor further disclosed that N40 million has been released for the revitalization of the Government Printing Press while effort is being made by exploring partnership with the private sector to enhance revenue generation streams and ensure sustainability.
Imoke averred that the theme of the celebration, 'Building Ending Peace and Unity; Panacea for Sustainable National Development' was apt and represented the importance of what is enjoyed in Cross River State.'
The state chairman of NLC, Comrade John Ushie, said the day gave workers the opportunity to access the level of government/employers' willingness to collaborate, to ensure a sustainable working condition for the people which is the spirit behind the celebration.
Ushie noted that on the strength of the theme for the celebration, there was need to call on the different tiers and arms of government to exhibit some resolve and purposefulness to ensure zero tolerance for corruption in every ramification of national life.