Dickson Ends Casualisation of Workers in Bayelsa Civil Service

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has outlawed the casualisation of workers in the state civil service.

The governor also approved the full employment of 838 casual workers in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state who had been affected by the policy.

He said it was in addition to the 1,000 graduates, first class graduates and medical practitioners as well as other related professionals he earlier injected into the state civil service.

The governor gave the approval to end the casualisation on Thursday during the 108th State Executive Council meeting at Government House in Yenagoa.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, alongside the Chairman of the state Civil Service Commission, Dr. Peter Singabele; Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Collins Cocodia, and Head of Service, Mr. Luka Wellington-Obiri, spoke further after the meeting.

Iworiso-Markson said most of the beneficiaries had spent about 15 to 20 years as casual workers in the state civil service.

He disclosed that the affected workers would undergo screening exercise before the confirmation of their appointment which is expected to take effect from July 1, 2019.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Singabele, disclosed that the affected workers are expected to present their academic qualifications, birth certificates and other relevant documents during the screening exercise which is expected to hold on or before the July 1, 2019.

He added that by the extant public service rules, any applicant above 40 years of age is not eligible, while casual workers were no longer be allowed in the public service.

According to him, a verification of educational certificates and age declaration of the casual staff would be carried out soon and those above the age of 40 will be disqualified.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Cocodia, said the approval for the employment of 838 casual workers is the third of such exercises undertaken by the state government.

The Head of Service, Wellington-Obiri, described the outlawing of casualisation in the state as a cheering news, advising the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity by being diligent, hardworking and always present at their duty posts so as to contribute their quota to the development of the state.