Governor wants civil servants to imbibe attitudinal change

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Monday urged Civil Servants to imbibe a change of attitude and a new orientation as they perform their duties in the state.

Okowa made the call in Asaba when he swore in the new Head of Service (HOS), Mr Reginald Bayoko, who succeeded, Mr Patrick Origho, as the 11th HOS in the state.

The governor said that civil servants were to assist government in the formulation and implementation of policies for the development of the country.

He said that some workers had deviated from their primary responsibilities and therefore needed a paradigm shift, particularly in their attitude, orientation and commitment to duty.

"There is nowhere the shift is needed more than in the attitude and orientation of the workforce. The problem is lack of commitment.

"Many civil servants are not just committed to their work.

"The lack of commitment is the reason why absenteeism, unethical conduct, sharp practices and the ghost workers syndrome have become the order of the day.

"As the chief driver of the process, the position of the HOS is therefore, one of weighty responsibility and utmost confidentiality,’’ Okowa said.

Okowa said there was no doubt that the task before the new HOS was herculean, and urged him to adopt an aggressive orientation and advocacy to enable the workers key into the policy plans of government.

He urged the civil servants, politicians and past HOS to support the new HOS to succeed.

In his responding, Bayoko pledged that he would build a virile civil service in line with the administration's development agenda by adopting the best practices as provide by the law.

"We need an adjustment to our attitude and we have to adopt a new positive mindset coupled with shift in our paradigm thinking.

"I have the responsibility to dedicate myself to maintaining the political neutrality of our service.

"I have to safeguard our legitimate interest that gives full and loyal support to the government in its policy execution and provide quality service to the citizenry,’’ he said.

Bayoko called for support from the workers and pledged to ensure adequate training and improved welfare for the state’s workforce. He succeeded