By Frank Momoh
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has commended the synergy between the Ministry of Water Resources and some construction firms to uplift the welfare of staff through of creative facilities for optimum productivity.
According to her, the facility which was built through the Private Public Partnership (PPP), involved the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and some construction firms leveraging on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
She commended the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack and the entire management and staff of the ministry for the wonderful feat, adding that the facility will create an enabling and conducive environment for workers to perform maximally.
She said Federal Government will continue to accord priority to the welfare and wellbeing of workers in the country so as to boost their productivity and ensure a virile workforce.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan disclosed this at the commissioning of ‘Welfare House,’ a welfare facility consisting of a staff canteen, clinic and gymnasium for civil servants on Wednesday, in Abuja.
According to her: “Today’s commissioning is what I would like to refer to as a comprehensive staff welfare facility, health and physical fitness needs of personnel beyond regular working hours.”
She added: “Apart from being a trailblazer, it is an initiative that would serve as a model for other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to emulate.”
This, according to her, is also a good example of how the Organized Private Sector should partner with the government in order to ensure a seamless development of the country.
Dr. Yemi-Esan commended the entire management of the Ministry for their accountability and fiscal prudence in the construction of the edifice.
“If we’re accountable like this, the private sector would be more than willing to support us in other endeavors” she added.
The Head of Service further said the initiative was in sync with the aspiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration to provide a conducive work environment for a more productive and efficient workforce.
She disclosed that her Office has embarked on a number of reform programmes to increase the morale and welfare of civil servants during and after service.
The Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan (FCSSIP) 2021-2025, she explained, covered a wide range of welfare initiatives. Priority areas of the plan include the Federal Public Service Entrepreneurship Programme which entails Agripreneurship start-up scheme for serving officers; Pre-Retirement training and business start-up scheme for prospective retirees; Payment of backlog of death benefits; Provision of year 2020 group life assurance cover for Federal Government employees and procurement for year 2021/2022, she added.
Other priorities include the accelerated implementation of the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Programme; Salary Harmonization; Improved transportation services and the resuscitation of the Federal Civil Service Clubs, among other initiatives.
In his remarks, the Minister of water Resources appreciated the support of the corporate sponsors. He stated that the welfare facility demonstrated the ministry’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of staff of the ministry to boost their productivity.
He added that the ministry has met the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the provision of the welfare facility for the workforce.
The Permanent Secretary admitted that the welfare facility was conceptualised by the erstwhile Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Comfort Ekaro and executed through the PPP with willing construction firms.