PLATEAU STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIFIED STAFF GOT TRANSFERRED.

By Walbe Orgak

In order to repositioned the Local Government for improved performance, to boost the morale of staffs and also perform one of the cardinal objectives of creating the Local governments; that is unifying the state through staff transfer. The Permanent Secretary Plateau State Local Government Service Commission, Henry K. Lankwap, has today 27th July, 2020, announced the transfer of 7,551 Local Government unified staff to the various 17 Local Government of the State.

 

Miskoom Henry Lankwap while addressing Local Government Directors of Personal Management and the media revealed that the transfer affects 7,551 out of 10, 378 unified staffs of the Local Governments.

The Permanent Secretary said “I am indeed highly honoured to make this address today on the true position of the speculations, agitation and misleading information on the long awaited transfer of unified staff of the seventeen (17) Local Government Council which took place last in 2005”.

He said, "As you are aware, His Excellency the Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong on assumption of the duty during his first tenure graciously appointed Commission members, made up of the Chairman, two Permanent members and by law, two part time members to run the affairs of the Local Government Service Commission. On assumption, members embarked on a familiarization tour of the 17 Local Government Councils in the State to interact with its staffers where four basic demands were made to include; No work no pay, lack of promotion, lack of conversion and transfer, amongst others".

 

Miskoom Lankwap further said “immediately after the tour, they swung into action by implementing the first three demands except the issue of transfer which was delayed due to the dissolution of the full commission members in June 2019”.

The Permanent Secretary discloses that “based on the foregoing and of course the dire need for continuity. He wrote a memo to His Excellency, to allow the Permanent Secretary and Directors of the Commission carryout the exercise for staffers of the 17 Local Government Councils who have stagnated in the same station for a period of over 15 years and above, a situation which had seriously dampened their moral thereby affecting productivity in the system, His Excellency graciously granted approval to do so”.

He also also revealed that the commission also in conjunction with the following relevant agencies like; Plateau Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (PRUWASSA), Plateau Value Chain Support Project, National Social Investment Programme, State Cash Transfer Unit, Primary Health Care Development Agency and Plateau Football Association all contributed in transferring staff responsible for implementing World Bank Programmes and Projects Supported by UNICEF, EU etc.

He said “special priority was also given to those who submitted medical reports and were considered. Where there are conflicting interests from the aforementioned Agencies, the mother ministry was given priority”.

On the completion of the transfer exercise, another memo was written to the Executive Governor requesting him to kindly consider and approve the release of the transfer of the proposed unified staff of the seventeen (17) Local Government Councils, and those of the Local Government Service Commission which we are about to witness today.

Miskoom Lankwap also appreciate the full support of His Excellency and the contributions of these partners mentioned above as well as the cordial relationship with the 3 Tripartite Union and the media (Press) in the process of bringing back the lost glory of the Local Government Service in Plateau State.

 

The Permanent Secretary said in order to handle the task ahead the Directors of Personal Management are requested to constitute a committee in their individual councils for the proper documentation of all staff involved to give room for a smooth and seem less exercise in the interest of service please.

The Chairman National Union of Local Government Employee, NULGE Comrade Samson Mafuyai said they are fully in support of the initiatives but appeal to the authorities to consider those who will come with genuine appeal and also the issues of disturbances allowances should be considered.