By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The new Executive Committee of the Association of Retired States Permanent Secretaries of Nigeria, (ARSPSON) Cross River State branch, has kicked off its activities with scheduled courtesy visits to some critical MDA Chief Executive Officers of the State Government.
Among those visited in its first outing on recently, were the State Head of Service, Mr. Orok Okon Bassey, the State Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Michael Odere as well as his Health counterpart, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk.
Chairman of the Association, Mr. Emmanuel Enamhe, who led his team on the visits explained that the Association which has been nationally incorporated, is desirous of solidifying its presence in the State by engaging critical Stakeholders of the State Government for the proper recognition of the Association with the capacity to still contribute to shaping the Public Service policies of the State Government.
He reiterated that notwithstanding their retirement status, most of the members are still physically strong and vibrant who can still contribute in varied ways to drive State Government Public Service policies if meaningfully engaged.
Enamhe urged the Chief Executives visited, not to hesitate to put in a kind word for retired Permanent Secretaries in whatever fora their matters come up for consideration, noting that some Permanent Secretaries,retired from the State’s Civil Service without the settlement of their statutory entitlements as provided for Public Servants of their status.
Mr Enamhe also complained about the disparity between the take-home pay of serving Permanent Secretaries and the pension of those retired, as a result of the failure of the Government to effect harmonization after the implementation of the new minimum wage regime, a situation he decried in strong terms.”Permanent Secretaries have a peculiar Service Status, serving or retired. They go home with everything. Their emoluments are constantly at par, retired or serving.
“I therefore appeal for the harmonization of the Pension of retired Permanent Secretaries with the salary of those still serving to reflect the reality of the new minimum wage regime, he said”.
Responding, the HoS, Mr Orok Okon Bassey, assured the ARSPSON Executive of the support of his Office, noting that ARSPSON is too important an Association to be ignored by any progressive government because of the quality of its membership.
The Head of Service promptly approved a temporary office space for the operation of a mini secretariat within his office building for ARSPSON.
The Commissioner of Finance Dr. Michael Odere said he continues to enjoy the robust relationship he shares with ARSPSON, reassuring that the Association can continue to use the Conference Hall of his Ministry, to hold their meetings as long as they desire.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk warmly received the ARSPSON Executive saying it was an honour to associate with such a distinguished organisation. He assured that ARSPSON will be factored into any of the health programmes designed for the aged in the State.
Highlight of the visits was the conferment of the awards of Patrons of ARSPSON to the Head of Service and the Commissioner for Finance by the ARSPSON Chairman on behalf of his members.
On the Chairman’s entourage were his Vice Chairman, Dr. Ihort Achu, Secretary of the Association Dr. Joseph Bassey, his assistant Mrs. Beatrice Akunjom as well as the Association’s Treasurer, Mr. Francis Egiga.
Others include: Mr. Clement Ushie, Financial Secretary, Comrade Victor Effiom Edet, Public Relations Officer, Mr.Emmanuel Effiom Bassey, Auditor, and Mr. Gabriel Ikang, Legal Adviser Also in attendance were the former Head of Service, Dr. Timothy Ogbang Akwaji, Mr. Egwu Egeh, and Mr. Emma Akpong.
