By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Delta State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoku has solicited the collaboration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council in propagating the benefits of the use of clock in clock out device recently introduced in pilot phase in some Ministries, Departments and Agencies by the state government.
Mr Bayoku stated this in Asaba when the Executives of the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists paid him an advocacy visit.
”For the clock in clock out device, we have tried as much as possible to let public servants understand the reason at the beginning of the whole programme . It has commenced, although it is in pilot phase. We want to take the experience we learn from the pilot phase to correct any shortcomings…before we roll it out fully”, he said.
Mr Bayoku stated further, ” those areas of concern should be brought to our attention but the most critical aspect is that in any human endeavour, if you are not used to something, it takes a while to get used to that thing. That is what is happening in terms of ….permit me to use the language the pocket of unacceptability by some segments of the workforce. We are saying that they should get used to it and at the end of the day, I am sure that it will be the larger workforce that will be telling us to sustain the use of the clock in clock out device because they will realize the need for it”
Mr Bayoku used the forum to assure workers that the challenges facing the state civil service were being addressed to make it perform better.
”We have really set out to let civil servants have a mind change from the ways they have been doing things; that they can do things better. They should be able to speak up no matter the level of intimidation”
”That is why you see me that most times, I intend to give a lot of my time to listening to challenges that public service faces with a view to addressing them”, Bayoku stated.
He however urged civil servants to accord priority to the core values of civil service which he highlighted to include political neutrality and confidentiality, intergrity and moral rectitude.
The HOS commended the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council for living up to its responsibility of being the ‘Watchdog of the Society”….”I am touched by the remarks you have made, and it’s a confirmation of the popular slogan that journalists are the watchdog of the society. Be rest assured that our doors are open. We’re all partners in progress for the success of this government and development of Delta State.”
Earlier, Chairman of Delta State Council of NUJ Comrade Mike Ikeogwu expressed the willingness and readiness of the Council to partner the Office of the State Head of Service in publicising its activities .
Comrade Ikeogwu drew the attention of the HOS on the need for government agencies saddled with the responsibilty of monitoring projects to live up to expectation .
”If all of us play our role as expected, the development of our state will be monumental. How effective monitoring agencies are, will determine the quality of jobs that will be executed. So I want to call on the HOS to give a charge to those who are responsible for projects monitoring in this state to live up to their responsibility so that we can have a long lasting projects being executed by government” Ikeogwu emphasized.
The NUJ Chairman also observed that many civil servants were failing in areas of integrity and moral rectitudes in the face of pressure from corrupt politicians.
