Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has approved the employment of 838 casual workers in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
This was in addition to the 1,000 graduates, First Class graduates, medical practitioners and other related professions earlier injected into the state civil service by the Restoration government.
Briefing the newsmen, on Wednesday, at the end of the 108 Executive Council meeting, in Yenagoa, Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso-Mrakson, said the governor gave the approval during the meeting and outlawed the practice of casualisation in the civil service.
Iworiso-Markson was joined by the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Dr. Peter Singabele, Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chief Collins Cocodia, and Head of the Civil Service (HoS), Mr. Luka Wellington-Obiri.
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The information commissioner, who extolled the governor for approving the employment of casual workers, said it was a profound period in the lives of the beneficiaries as most of them had spent about 15 to 20 years as casual workers.
He disclosed that the affected casual workers would undergo screening exercise before the confirmation of their appointment which is expected to take effect from Monday, July 1, 2019.
Also speaking, Dr. Singabele thanked Governor Dickson for the approval, submitting that it would go a long way in addressing the problem of unemployment in the state.
He disclosed that the affected workers are expected to present their academic qualifications, birth certificates and other relevant documents during the screening exercise which is expected to hold on/or before July 1.
He added that by the extant public service rules, any applicant above 40 years of age is not eligible while casual workers were not allowed in the public service and commended Governor Dickson for proscribing casualisation due to his believe that is it criminal.
According to him, a verification of educational certificates, age declaration of the casual staff would be carried out soon and those above the age of forty are disqualified.
Also, Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chief Collins Cocodia, said the approval for the employment of 838 casual workers is the third employment exercise by the Restoration Government.
Chief Cocodia noted that it is a boost to see more Bayelsans engaged in the civil service, while noting that more teachers would be employed as soon as Governor Dickson gives approval.
On his part, the Head of Service of the state, Mr. Luka Wellington-Obiri, described as cheering news the outlawing of casualisation in the state.
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He assured Governor Dickson that the civil service would do its best to be better positioned to deliver on its core mandate of carrying out government programmes and policies.
He advised the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity by being diligent, hardworking and present at all times at their duty post so as to contribute their quota to the development of the state.
On the burial activities of the late literary icon, Pa Gabriel Okara, which begins on 20th June, the Commissioner for Information said the state would be mobilised to give a befitting farewell to honour him.
He, therefore, called on all traditional, political, opinion and community leaders including the three arms of government to avail themselves at the burial which culminates on Sunday with a thanksgiving service, adding that it is the only way to honour and appreciate the late Pa Okara’s contributions to Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation, Nigeria and the world, at large.