by Christiana Gokyo, Jos

Following the resumption of over two months’ strike action that was embarked upon by Plateau State Civil Servants, the Head of Civil Service, Barr. Rauta Dakok, was impressed expressed with the level of turnout of Civil Servants on resumption.

She spoke to newsmen, while in her office at the J.D. Gwomwalk Secretariat in Jos, on Tuesday after going round to see for herself, if all workers have resumed after the strike action.

She assured that, the visit would be a continuous basis to ensure full compliance, noting that, it has given her the opportunity to interact with civil servants to hear their official challenges and to also see with her eyes the physical structures and nature of the working environment.

The Head of Civil Service was optimistic that, now that the strike action has been lifted up, it is expected that all civil servants would be seated in their various offices and ensure commitment to their schedules.

She warned those who have the habit against closure before official closing hours to rescind, because workers have stayed for too long at home and much work awaits them in their various MDAs.

She called on all civil servants to be committed and give total loyalty to the government in place, while urging that, as civil servants, any government that comes into power, it is expected that loyalty be accorded to such a government without any bias, and should show their high level of commitment, which they have been known in the past.

On the inspection of the Secretariat, the Head of Civil Service was companied of Permanent Secretaries of various Departments in her office, Directors, other staff and the media.

Our correspondent spoke to the civil servants, who expressed their joy over the “suspended long strike action,” and prayed that the remaining outstanding of salaries owed by government should be paid in no distant time to enable workers tackle their remaining financial challenges and obligations.

But some of them noted, with dismay, the sudden hike in transport fares as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, which has caused serious challenges to so many workers, especially those from distant locations, making it more difficult to make it to the office every day and on time.

Also, petty traders and those hawking within the secretariat were not left out, as they also said the strike action had affected them economically, as they lost patronage from customers who mostly are state civil servants, adding that, their businesses would pick up as soon as civil servants return to work in full.