Governor Dickson Warns Civil Servants Against Partisan Politics

Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has warned civil servants in the state against involving themselves in partisan politics.

He noted that a situation whereby civil servants became political was not only against the ethics of the profession, but also had far-reaching negative implications for efficiency and effectiveness of the public service, Punch reports.

Dickson gave the warning during the inauguration of the new Head of Service, Dr. Peter Singabele, and a member of the state Civil Service Commission, Dr. Boumakuma Kpokiri, in Yenagoa, a statement by his media aide, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said on Saturday.

He stressed the need for public servants to uphold the principles of neutrality and absolute loyalty to the government in power.

Describing the public service as the most important sector in service delivery, Dickson vowed not to allow political considerations to determine who heads the state civil service.

He charged the newly-appointed HOS, Singabele, to instill discipline in the state civil service in order to achieve improved service delivery.

He expressed continued commitment to promoting workers’ welfare within the limits of available resources.

He pointed out that apart from regular payment of salaries and pensions, even in the face of the current economic meltdown bedevilling the nation, his administration had, to a very large extent, addressed the issue of office accommodation for workers.

Dickson noted, “For the past one year, no state government can boast of any effective construction work because we are in a state of recession. But, even in spite of all that, we do not owe salaries.

“We also do not owe pensions. The only thing that is left for us to handle is the gratuities that have accumulated for the past 10 years, which is not a creation of this government. But we are determined to find a solution to address it.”

Dickson particularly urged the new HOS and Kpokiri, who replaced late Sir Patrick Tekenah, to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the performance of their duties, especially in the area of enforcing discipline.