Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advocated for civil service reforms to unify the salary structures of the federal and state civil services in Nigeria. He made this call during the foundation-laying and fundraising ceremony for the Bayelsa State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries' Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa on Friday. Jonathan commended the retired permanent secretaries for their initiative, noting that the calibre of personnel in the Bayelsa State public service compares favourably to their federal counterparts.
Jonathan disclosed that during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State, he restructured the state civil service to introduce Grade Level 17 for directors who previously retired on Grade Level 16. He stressed that the secretariat for retired permanent secretaries would serve both retirees and the public, while making a strong case for uniform civil service structures nationwide. Jonathan's call for reforms aims to address the existing disparities in salary structures between the federal and state civil services.
The former President highlighted the need for a unified salary structure, citing the example of professors in federal and state universities who receive the same salary. Jonathan questioned why directors in state civil services should be on a lower grade level than their federal counterparts. He emphasized that the civil service of the federation is a single entity, regardless of whether personnel work at the state or federal level.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, represented by Ebiye Sawyer, the Head of Service, pledged government support for the project. Diri praised the retired officials for their vision and dedication. The governor's support for the project underscores the state's commitment to the welfare of its retired public servants.
The proposed Secretariat Complex, estimated to cost N500 million, is expected to be completed in two years. The complex will house administrative offices, event halls, conference rooms, and recreational facilities. According to Collins Ebi Daniel, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, the centre will embody the legacy of public service.
Maxwell Oko, a former Commissioner for Power in Bayelsa State and chief launcher, pledged his support for the project. He urged the association to leverage the facility as a policy institute for state and national development. The facility is expected to serve as a hub for policy discussions and development initiatives.
The project has garnered support from various stakeholders, who see it as a positive step towards enhancing the welfare of retired public servants. The unified salary structure advocated by Jonathan is expected to boost morale and productivity in the civil service. The implementation of this proposal could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria's public service sector.
Key points
- Former President Goodluck Jonathan calls for civil service reforms to unify federal and state salary structures.
- Jonathan introduced Grade Level 17 for directors in Bayelsa State civil service during his tenure as governor.
- The proposed Secretariat Complex for retired permanent secretaries will cost N500 million and be completed in two years.
