Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the restructuring of the state civil service for optimal performance and greater efficiency.
The state Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu who stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting emphasized that the objective for the restructuring is not to sack Abia workers.
In his words: ”Abia state government is committed to restructuring the system but not through laying off Abia workers. What we want to do where necessary is to see how we can improve revenue inflow especially from parastatals to ensure that whatever they are making is able to cover their own cost.
”We do not see retrenchment as first solution to structural imbalance or challenges within any sector in Abia state. We want our people to work ,to be productive,to deliver more results.
The Commissioner while noting that the state government will equally look into the structure for the payment of pensioners in Abia state,further revealed that the Exco directed the full implementation of the contributory pension scheme, National Health Insurance Scheme and Hospital Information Management Scheme.
”We are extremely concerned as a responsible administration. We have already launched a contributory pension scheme to ensure that future pensioners are not owed in Abia state”,he said.
Okiyi Kalu while reiterating the state government’s commitment to creating more jobs and industrial growth in the state added that its target is to deliver jobs for Abians through the state government’s five pillars of development with greater focus on education, road infrastructure, agriculture, job creation,health and security.
The commissioner further stated that the Exco also directed a review of some ongoing road projects such as Aba-Owerri road,Aba road Umuahia, Osisioma flyover,Osusu road Aba and Abiriba-Nkporo road to ensure completion within 120 days.
This is even as the state government has resolved to prioritize the completion of ongoing road projects embarked upon by the current administration.
By Amarachi Uzoukwu