Labour, Bayelsa Govt Bicker over Extension of HoS, Perm Sec’s Tenures

By Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Organised Labour on Sunday kicked against the decision by the Bayelsa state government to extend the appointment of the state’s Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Peter Singabele, by six months.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state argued that the decision of the governor to extend the service of the retired HoS went against civil service rules.

Labour called on Governor Seriake Dickson to, with immediate effect, appoint a new HoS to fill the vacant position.

The state NLC Chairman, Mr. Ndiomu Bipre and his TUC counterpart, Mr. Tari Dounana in a statement warned against the politicization of the HoS office in the state.

According to them, no Head of Service stays in office beyond the retirement age of 60 or 35 years , whichever is applicable.

“The continuous stay of the current Heads  of Service Doctor Peter Singabele beyond the retirement age of sixty years or thirty five years in service is a source of worry to workers in the state.  The Public Service Rules 02081 is very clear about retirement of public servants.

“As a career civil servant, we expect the Head of Service to step aside or refuse any form of tenure elongation in order not to truncate promotion in the civil service.

“The NLC and the TUC call on the Civil Service Commission to properly guide government on the appointment of the Head of Service as stipulated in the Public Service Rule to strengthen and motivate the workforce”, the Labour leaders said.

But the Chief Press Secretary to Mr Dickson, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, maintained that the governor was only exercising his executive powers to ensure the smooth running of the state.

”The governor is simply exercising his powers under the law to appoint or re-appoint or extend  the services of whoever he deems fit to take up or act in whatever capacity.