Labour Calls On FG To Cut Down Cost Of Governance To Save Nigeria From Borrowing Spree

The leadership of the Nigeria Civil Service Union at the Federal Capital Territory has called on the federal government to prune down the cost of governance in the country both at the Federal and State levels to save the country from avoidable borrowing.

This was part of the highlights of the communique issued at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting of the Union held recently at the auditorium of the Revenue, Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Central Business District, Abuja

The communique posited that “in view of the dwindling resources, the Union regretted that hundreds of millions of Naira are being used in maintaining and paying political office holders while a greater percentage of youths are unemployed and facing abject poverty.

The meeting therefore urged government at all levels to cut down the size of political appointees in order to save resources to meet up with other developmental programmes.

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The communique which was signed by the Chairman, Federal Council, Comrade Timothy Odebunmi and the Council Secretary, Comrade Daniel Otakpo expressed worry over the level of high rate of mass poverty, rising in prices of food items and its attendant effects on insecurity, rising crime rate, corruption, kidnapping, cultism, herdsmen/farmers clashes, banditry and other social vices despite efforts by security agencies against these unfortunate incidences.

To mitigate these torrendous security milieu, the Federal government has been counselled to put up policy measures that will address the level of poverty and unemployment as a guarantee for social security and peaceful co existence in the country.

On the job efficiency and effectiveness in the public service, the meeting advocated for good working environment which can only come to fruition if relevant working materials are provided and the urgent renovation of Federal Secretariat, the meeting expressed its worry over shortage of working materials in some ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs), adding that this has slowed down the rate of output by workers in different MDAs

In the same vein, the meeting suggested a redoubling of efforts and advised some Head of Departments to follow financial guidelines and regulations to prevent diversion of funds for personal aggrandizement serving as salary supplement which is antithetical to the public service philosophy.

Other highlights of the communique include a call to deploy adequate fund for education and training programmes which has declined in recent time; on the need for the provision of adequate training needs in the public service, the Union admonished both Federal and State Governments to urgently adapt a training package for all cadres in the public service to equip officers and personnel with requisite skills, ability and competence in order to reposition the public service industry to the challenges of neutrality, responsiveness, efficiency and transparency.

The meeting expressed its passion for social dialogue, however, the meeting empowered the leadership of Federal Council to employ whatever means to ensure that management of FIRS is brought to roundtable discussion and place other MDAs affiliated to NCSU on red alert in case of further interferences

The meeting congratulated the new Auditor General of the Federation, Mr Aghugbu Arhofomhenla Adolphus on his new appointment, and wished him very best in his new assignment.

Meanwhile, they passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman, Federal Council, Comrade Timothy Odebunmi for his proactive approach to workers’ welfare.

Also, the National President of the Union, Comrade Lawrence Ameachi was appreciated as well as all organs of the Union for taking workers welfare with all seriousness required.

Also, the staff of the Federal Council who were promoted were equally congratulated.