Bayelsa Restoration Caucus backs public sector reforms .Condemns protest against it

   The Bayelsa Restoration Caucus has thrown its weight behind the ongoing state government public sector reforms programme in the state.

  The decision was contained in an 11 point communiqué issued at the end of a crucial meeting of the body held in Yenagoa at the conference room of the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on political Matters.

The communiqué which was signed by the Caucus Chairmen of the respective local government areas of the state unanimously condemned the protests against the ongoing public sector reforms in the state.

  Those signed are Chief Francis Doukpola –Salga, Chief George Fente - Nembe, Chief Isaac Kumokou-Kolga, Chief George Okrinya – Ogbia and Chief Godwin Odumgba Yelga.

   The restoration caucus noted with concern the level of misinformation generated by the opposition APC and other disgruntled persons about the state Government’s public service reforms programmes and the implementation process.

  The body restated that Governor Dickson led administration was duly carrying out its legitimate function of governance and protecting interest of the people by undertaking the ongoing exercise.

  It enjoined the people of the state to embrace the reform pointing out that it is in the interest of the state.

  The reform according to them was meant to reposition the state public sector for greater efficiency, productivity and professionalism to save a decaying public service from imminent collapse.

  The communiqué clearly emphasized that the reforms programme was not intend to witch-hunt anyone or group of persons, stating that the reforms has continued to expose, payroll fraud, age falsifiers, certificate forgery, truancy, indiscriminate service promotions, inherited employment and persons having multiple employments where they earn salaries from different Government agencies.

  The body observed that the reforms programmes has reduced the wage bill of the state from N6.7billion in 2012 on inception of Governor Dickson’s administration to N3.9billion saying that the amount includes payment of subvention to tertiary institutions in the state.

  They averred that the reform would enable government lift the embargo on employment into the civil service and create employment opportunity for the unemployed youths when the exercise is completed.

  It added that the reforms would enthrone a new era of accountability, probity and discipline in the public service.

  The body took a swipe of the recent protest embarked upon by Amassoma women in Niger Delta University (NDU) saying that the protest from available intelligence was sponsored by misguided elements who look for the slightest opportunity to cause mischief and distort the peace of the state, and warned Bayelsans to desist from such acts.

  The Restoration Caucus pointed out the need people of the state should realized that the Niger Delta University (NDU) belongs to all Bayelsans, stressing the need for all to realize that it is our collective responsibility to protect it from collapse or attack from those who do not mean well for the state.

  Calling on the institution to carry out its reforms vigorously, not to allow it to be intimidated by anyone or group of persons, the Restoration Caucus said “The institution retired persons who are above 60-70 years in line with the civil service rules as well as paid 3 months salaries in lieu of the retirement of the affected person”.

  It warned that those found wanting for promoting violence, fraud and obstruction of public peace would be dealt with according to the laws of the land.