By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi state government has lifted the embargo on employment in order to open opportunities for qualified youth of the state and ultimately recalibrate the civil service for efficient service delivery and sustainable growth.
This was announced by Bauchi state Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed while speaking after being sworn-in for a second term in office following his victory at the 2023 general election, amidst a tumultuous crowd that besieged Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, venue of the inauguration ceremony on Monday.
Governor Bala assured that his government will renew its position by good governance anchored on transparency and accountability, an inclusion and diversity management policy, founded on the principles of equity, justice and fairness, prudent management of resources, peace and security, all leading to shared prosperity for all.
He said: “We have done some strategic hiring to fill yawning vacancies in some strategic sectors recently, the Government recognizes the huge burden placed on the existing work force.”
He said to sustain the regular payment of salaries, pensions and wages as at when due, the government will expose a critical mass of civil servants to targeted human capital development programmes in line with global best practices.
The Governor was sworn-in along with his deputy, Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau by the State Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar and also administered the oath of office and allegiance to the state's new leaders who emerged victorious in the general elections under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Bala further said since the inception of his administration in the last four years they have been paying monthly salaries and pensions without default.
“I want to reiterate my earlier assurance that as a civil servant, I will spare no effort to ensure that our labour has integrity, and the welfare of our civil servants will remain top priority at all times.”
Bala assured that before the end of his tenure for the next four years, he will clear up all the gratuities and pensions backlog inherited by previous administrations.
“On concerns over gratuities, I wish to reassure the workers that the government will fast-track ongoing effort to create the required synergy between the PENCOM and the recently established Bauchi State Contributory Pension Scheme to defray the backlog and guarantee regular payment of gratuities.
“In spite of the bold steps taken in the areas of financial reforms and the governance environment, I am pained to note that, trying as much as we could within our first term, the challenge of gratuity payment has defied our best intentions and efforts.
“It is for this reason that despite settling over N4 billion without accumulating new ones, we still have about N23 billion outstanding, inherited from previous administrations in the state.
“The enactment of the State Contributory Pension Scheme by this Administration was in furtherance of its genuine desire to ensure that the intractable problem of payment of gratuities does not outlive this Administration. By the grace of God, we shall prevail.”
Bala said in four years his government has constructed over 1,000 kilometers of urban and rural roads, connecting major commercial areas with markets and providing access to basic social services.
“I appreciate the trust that has been reposed in our administration by the majority of our people who voted for me. I am conscious that my re-election signifies the endorsement of the manifesto of our great party and the “My Bauchi Project” agenda on which platforms I ran for election in 2019. I am honoured that today’s inauguration represents a validation of the performance of our Administration during the first term.
“I see it as a summons to do more. Not as Governor of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) under whose platform I ran or any partisan or sectarian interest but for everyone residing in Bauchi State: indigene and non-indigene, citizen and foreigner, rich and poor no matter one’s station in life.”
Our reporter reports that newly deputy Governor of Bauchi Auwal tooks oaths at 12:29pm, while governor Bala Mohammed who would have been accompanied by his wife, Aisha (Lami) Bala took at about 12:53pm on Monday.
Senator Bala Mohammed had no sooner been sworn-in than inspected a guard of honour mounted by a Nigerian Police team with virtually all the Paramount traditional rulers of the state in attendance.
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