RE-INVIGORATED LGSC ABOHRS AGE FALSIFICATION, TRUANCY, INDISCIPLINE, LATENESS - ROBERT TAPLE

RE-INVIGORATED LGSC ABOHRS AGE FALSIFICATION, TRUANCY, INDISCIPLINE, LATENESS-TAPLE

......LGSC FROM JUNE 2019 - 30TH APRIL 2021 CONCLUDED PROMOTION/CONVERSION, TRANSFERS, RENOVATION, BOREHOLE, OTHERS- LANKWAP

..... PROMOTE LGC STAFF TO GL 16, ABSORB LG STAFF INTO STATE SERVICE- NULGE PRESIDENT,ARANDONG.

Chief Barr Robert Taple (JP) Wazirin Mupun, the newly re-appointed and inaugurated Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) said the reinvigorated commission is now ready to face the task of bringing innovation to the commission in line with the directive of the Rescue Leader, the Executive Governor of Plateau State and the Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum for E-Governance devoid of age falsification, trauncy, indiscipline and lateness to work.

Speaking at the handing over and taking over ceremony at the conference hall of the LGSC on Monday 10th May 2021, Chief Robert Taple frowned at age falsification, truancy, indiscipline and late reporting at places of assignments by staffers of the 17 LGCs of Plateau State.

The Chairman hinted that he will read the handover notes thoroughly to understand what took place in their absence in order to fall in line with the ideals of the Rescue administration and make appropriate inputs for a better LGC service in Plateau State.

The elated re-appointed Executive Chairman of the Commission appreciated the Permanent Secretary and Acting Chairman for always informing him of major events and decisions about the commission even when they were in the desert. He said about 70% of the commission staff and Directors at the LGC level were always in touch with them and thus made them feel a sense of belonging.

Speaking on the NULGEE strike, Chief Taple said he was not happy with the violent nature, though they were demanding for improved welfare. He continued that the LGSC is guided by law, thus, they will put in their best and be more serious as it will not be business as usual since elections are over, they will provide good governance to move Plateau State forward.

On the issue of salary payment, the Chairman said, their prayers is for the 17 LGC Chairmen to be able to pay workers as at when due, like Governor Lalong is doing at the State level. He promised to synergize with the Council Chairman for sanity and good deliverance of service.

The Executive Chairman said one of their major assignment is to have a perfect nominal roll of staff from GL 01-16. He said a committee on nominal roll will be set up as one of their short term objective and the E- Governance with ICT base to have a Central ICT Monitor will be the Mid term objective of the reinvigorated commission. The Chairman hinted that the commission will need a lot of computers, light, gadgets etc for the E-Governance. He urged the 17 LGC workers to gear up for the E-Governance as directed by the Executive Governor and start classes in basic issues of the ICT to be versatile.

On the issue of postings, the chairman said it can't be reversed but only mistakes of the heart can be addressed since the condition of service states that you can be posted anywhere, but the commission will continue to give importance to human face in whatever they do. Speaking on buying and fake certificates for conversion, Chief Barr Robert Taple hinted that the commission will set up a high level committee to look into the issues of certificate forgery to fish out perpetrators and dish out appropriate sanctions. The chairman equally frowned at falsification of age by LGC workers. He said he is aware of five directors who have overshot their ages and urged them to come themselves for a soft landing, but if allowed to be fished out ,civil service rules and punishment will be meted out on them. Robert Taple directed that workers should stop manipulation of their ages.

The 15th Chairman of the LGSC thanked and commended Miskoom Henry Lankwap, the Permanent Secretary and Acting Chairman of the Commission for holding forth while they were away and the lofty achievements he made in such a short time. He also thanked the media and PPA for the support to the Commission.

Speaking earlier at the handing and taking over ceremony, Miskoom Henry Lankwap, the Permanent Secretary and Acting Chairman of the LGSC said it's heartwarming that on behalf of the commission and staff of the 17 LGCS, he is welcoming back the Chairman and Members of the Commission,following their re-appointing and inauguration by His Excellency, RT Hon Barr Dr Simon Bako Lalong, the Executive Governor of Plateau State and the Chairman, Northern Governors' Forum. He asserted that their reappointment is in recognition of their valuable contribution in the service towards the attainment of growth and development at the Local Government levels as well as their commitment, zeal and achievements in the first tenure of service.

Lankwap congratulated the Chairman and Members of the commission on behalf of staffers of the 17 LGCS.

 Miskoom Henry Lankwap, the Permanent Secretary listed the achievements, challenges and the future plans of the commission under his watch in a three page speech.

He said the commission between June,2019 to 30th April, 2021 under his leadership, was modestly able to conclude the outstanding promotion and conversion of staff which was started from 2008 to 2017. Lankwap hinted that they secured approval of two memos from the Executive Governor, RT. Hon. Barr. Dr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG, for the transfer of over 7,000 (seven thousand) unified staff across the 17 LGCS which has not been carried out for the past 15 years; the appointment of Directors, Deputy Directors and Sectorial Heads to fill the vacant position which was done to give each LGC full representation at the third tier of Government, the renovation of the conference hall/ other offices and the roofing of the ICT Centre through Direct Labor and supervised by the Ministry of Housing; the drilling of Borehole and the installation, construction of double tank stand for the commission due to the lack of water supply in the entire complex. This gesture was extended to the Civil Service and Teachers Service Commission respectively.

Miskoom Lankwap listed the challenges of the commission during his watch to include the Covid-19 Pandemic, the blatant refusal of some staff to proceed on transfer, relying on Godfatherism, a situation which contravenes the Civil Service rules and a source of worry; criminal falsification of records e.g altering declaration of age and appointment dates in order to prolong staff stay in office; rising cases of fake news, rumor mongering and truancy, indiscipline, lack of sufficient funds and ALGON's request to return staff to their respective LGA's of origin, a request which is at variance with the law establishing the Commission, meant to ensure unified staff structure for all the LGCs in the state.

The versatile and hardworking Permanent Secretary,Miskoom Henry Lankwap listed the future plan of the commission to include the need to imbibe the culture of periodic monitoring of staff on quarterly or mid year visits to all the 17 LGCS for an on the spot assessment; promotion of staff based on passing prescribed examination as obtainable at both state and federal services rather than being automatic, and setting up a committee for the verification of staff credentials and other records of service to fish out staff with fake credentials and also retire those with false records from the service.

The Permanent Secretary concluded by renewing the pledge on behalf of Directors, staff of the commission and the entire 17 LGCS to the chairman and members of the commission for another fruitful and rewarding tenure.

In his remarks, the President of the Plateau State Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Chief Makwin Arandong on behalf of the workers of the 17 LGCS of Plateau State warmly welcomed the Chairman and members of the commission. He said he was delighted for the rare privilege to be at the handing and taking over ceremony from the humble Permanent Secretary to the Chairman and members of the Commission. He continued that with what he heard form the Chairman and the Permanent Secretary of the commission , he sees light at the end of the tunnel. He said hitherto, the NULGE had a very negative impression about the Permanent Secretary, but now have a change of heart and position as labour is now aware that the PS is more of a friend and a father than an enemy . Arandong described the PS as a brave man and with God on his side, he has been able to conquer. The NULGE President said, the PS did appointments in the seven departments of the LGCs with little hitches. He said, labour wants the parleys with Directors and Deputy Directors to continue on a regular basis, frowns at truancy and wants the commission to punish erring workers; wants salaries of 17 LGC workers to be reverted back to the commission; passionate appeal for the promotion of LGC staff to GL 16, appeal to the Head of Civil Service to absorb LGC staff from GL 08 to GL 10 to replace retired staff and totally against posting of LGC staff to their respective LGA of origin.

Mr Caleb Gullek, the Chairman Forum of Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs) and the DPM of Shendam LGC in his remarks said on behalf of Directors and Staff of the 17 LGCS,he wished to thank the Executive Governor of Plateau State and the Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum, RT. Hon. Barr. Dr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG for re-appointing the Chairman and members of the commission to come back and to acheive the dreams set out for them. Gullek appreciated witnessing the handing and taking over of such wonderful personalities and urge all to put hands on deck for the betterment of Plateau State.

The Forum Chairman of DPMs pleaded that the commission looks into the issue of LGC staff salaries wholistically and assured them of their full fledged support to enable Government to succeed.

Chief Amb Nanyah A Daman

The Group Managing Editor of the Newsgate Magazine appealed for the settlement of media and publishers bills in the 17 LGC of Plateau State.

Mr Shabul Mazadu, the Publisher of Beacon Newspaper and the Chairman of Plateau Publishers Association (PPA) said the media will do its best to report activities of the commission but may wield the big stick to correct anomalies and use the carrot to report the good of Government. He commended the commission for being media friendly.

Princess Abus I.  Izang, the DPM of the LGSC gave a vote of thanks at the handing and taking over ceremony. She appreciated all for coming and urged all staff to seat up.