The Federal Government on Tuesday said it would embark on the survey of persons with disabilities in the federal civil service.
Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary, service welfare department in the office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), made the disclosure in Yenagoa at the opening session of the 2018 meeting of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council.
She said the plan was to give them priority attention and enable them participate maximally toward national development.
The three days event is tagged, “Sustainable industrial harmony in public sector: An imperative for achieving federal Government’s change agenda for national development.”
She explained that programme which between government and the Public Service Trade Unions was to examine critical matters bordering on the welfare and conditions of service of workers.
According to Walson-Jack, the essence of the survey of persons with disabilities is to enable the those with disabilities participate maximally in all service activities.
“People with disabilities are vulnerable group which office of the head of the civil service of the federation wishes to integrate and give priority attention.
“The head of the civil service of the federation has approved a survey of people with disabilities in the federal civil service.
“The survey is to be launched on December 3, 2018 to mark the international day of people with disabilities in public service with a view to identifying their needs and ensuring their full inclusion in service activities,” she stated.
She further disclosed that the HCSF has initiated the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Scheme (FISH) programme to serve as the flagship programme of the office, which has the mandate of providing quality and affordable housing for civil servants.
Walson-Jack said that plans were also underway to establish a reward and recognition system in the federal civil service as motivation for workers.
She said that it would serve as one of the measures to encourage their productivity for more efficient and effective service delivery.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa while declaring the event open, pledged to support and encouraged workers in the state through better welfare packages in order to promote industrial harmony.
Dickson stressed the need for sustainable industrial harmony for nation building.
NAN