By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the harmonisation of structures and salary scales across Nigeria’s federal and state civil services.
Jonathan made the call in Yenagoa during the foundation-laying and fund-raising ceremony for the Bayelsa State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries’ Secretariat Complex.
The former President commended the retired permanent secretaries for the initiative, noting that the calibre of personnel in the Bayelsa State public service compared favourably with their counterparts at the federal level.
Jonathan recalled that during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State, he restructured the civil service by creating Grade Level 17 for directors who previously retired at Level 16.
He said the adjustment was intended to ensure that directors in the state civil service enjoyed the same grade level as their counterparts in the federal civil service.
Jonathan said, “The civil service of the federation is the civil service of the federation, whether you are working at the state level or you are working at the federal level, and I believe that the salary structure should be the same because it is the same government.
“A professor lecturing in a federal university should receive the same salary as a professor lecturing in a state university. So why should a director in the state be on Level 16 while a director at the federal level is on Level 17?”
He recalled that after discovering the disparity in the grade levels of directors in Bayelsa State, he directed the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service and Accountant General to restructure the service and create Grade Level 17 for directors.
According to him, those previously on Level 16 were reclassified as deputy directors and promoted accordingly.
Jonathan said the proposed secretariat complex would serve the retired permanent secretaries and the wider public, describing the project as a worthwhile contribution to the state and the country.
“I have to thank all of you and I appreciate you for your service to the states and, by implication, to the country. And for this noble project that you are doing, I commend you,” he said.
He added that the facility would serve not only government officials but also private citizens.
Also speaking, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, represented by the Head of Service, Dr Ebiye Sawyer, pledged government support for the project and commended the retired officials for their vision and dedication.
Sawyer said the project represented more than the laying of a foundation stone, describing it as the beginning of a lasting legacy for retired permanent secretaries in the state.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, the necessary support will come from government towards completing this project,” he said.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the association, King Collins Ebi Daniel, described the proposed complex as an institutional edifice designed to preserve the legacy of public service.
He said the facility would comprise administrative offices, event halls, conference rooms and recreational facilities.
King Daniel disclosed that the project was estimated to cost N500 million and was expected to be completed within two years.
Other dignitaries at the event, including the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Imiri, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus, and the Chief Launcher, Chief Maxwell Oko, pledged their support.
They urged the association to consider developing the facility into a policy institute that could contribute to state and national development.
Also present were traditional ruler, King Amalate Turner, and the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Benson Agadaga.
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