…justifies reabsorption of sacked workers by past administrations
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has said he will have a say in determining whosoever will occupy the Agodi Government House to succeed him, come 2027.
He said, although, he may not have his way in the final choice and eventual occupier, he will still have his say, noting that the final decision on the successor solely lies with the people of the state.
He also said members of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state will have him to contend with in taking a final decision, adding that he is still the one controlling the party structure in the state.
Makinde spoke on Thursday while receiving the report of the Committee on Review and Update of Public Service Rules and Other Regulations in the State Civil/Public Service.
The brief ceremony held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Oyo state Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan and attended by top government functionaries, party stalwarts, among other dignitaries.
The committee was headed by a former Secretary to Oyo State Government (SSG)/ Head of Service, Chief Bisi Adesola.
Makinde said “So those people that are campaigning to be the next governor they still have to wait because I still have till May 29, 2027. And I’ll also have a say in who is going to become the next governor.
“I may not have my way, it’s Oyo state people that will decide but I’ll have a say especially those in PDP will have me to contend with cause I’m still the one controlling the structure.”
Justifying the government decisions to reverse the sack of some workers as done by previous administrations and reabsorbed them back to the workforce, Governor Makinde said the effort is to avoid needless litigation by those that may feel cheated due to obsolete laws guiding the workings of the civil service.
He said the review and update of public service rules and other regulations in the state civil/public service is imperative in view of the need to factor modern trends and situation into the operations of the civil service for increased productivity and efficiency.
He added “Let me on the behalf of the state government say thank you to the committee on the review and update of public service rules and other regulations to the state civil/ public service. Part of the reasons why we said let us even review things includes even ordinary things like estacodes.
“You want people to travel, to gain knowledge to contribute to and not see their work as a hardship posting, but you have the rule that says this is the amount you can take as estacodes and those things have been there like since late 1970s so we thought we cannot continue like this, that’s just one example.
“We also have disciplinary procedures. When we came in, we have been bringing people back because some will go to court and say look we were wrongly dismissed because some of the rules are obsolete and if we get into a position where we have to resolve any conflict, we have to resolve it in favour of the weaker person.
“So that’s why we’ve been bringing people back, review the process that has led to us been in a position where people are dissatisfied with disciplinary or rules guilding the civil service. ”
He assures that with the work done by the committee, which his administration will implement validates his position regarding what he really want to be remembered for,, saying “Our legacy should come from the institutions that we are able to put together such that good governance will continue in Oyo State even after we’re long gone from the scene. And this is one of it. Once we’re implement and operationalize what we’ve done we’ll have a different civil service in Oyo State. It’s just that simple.”
Speaking before presenting the report earlier, the chairman of the committee, Chief Adesola, on behalf of the committee appreciated the governor for the opportunity to contribute their quota to his vision and his desire to bring positive development to the State’s Public Service, which he described as a viable institution and a vehicle for good governance.
Chief Adesola commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of workers with his notion of transforming the state from poverty to prosperity and for various steps taken in ensuring that the Civil Service Commission works effectively.
He noted that adoption of the documents presented would birth a new Civil Service that would be more responsible and result in greater output and better delivery of services to the global practices.
The four documents presented for considerations are; Public Service Rule Volume1, renamed Public Service Rule Volume I Administrative Regulations;
Public Service Rule Volume 2, now Financial Regulations; Public Service Commission Rule 1978 renamed Civil Service Commission Rule; and Operational handbook for Civil/Public Service in Oyo State.
