N350m repatriation allowance paid retirees from 1993 to 2018, chairman ASCSN, FMOH reveals
By Peter Usman://
Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, Federal Ministry Of Health, FMOH –Abuja, Comrade Hassan Abba, has revealed that the arrears of repatriation allowance from 1993 to 2018 amount to N350million have been paid retirees under his leadership.
Abba made this disclosure on Thursday at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja during the union’s periodic congress meeting to update members on issues as it affects the staff of the Ministry.
The union chairman stated that before he was elected, the issue of staff welfare and incentives were neglected, saying that with the help of the Central Working Committee, CWC payment of allowance became regular.
He said, “Welfare and incentives to staff which is very significant is one aspect that we ensure that it is constant and regular from the day we came to office. This was realized with the help of CWC of the five affiliated unions.
“We had some challenges, I will like to stress that with all the welfare we have been enjoying, for the past years, there is no budget or appropriation for welfare, but with your prayers and that of our children, we were able to sustain welfare package in the ministry”
In the area of training, Comrade Abba observed that training and retraining of staff in any organization is key to productivity, hence the need to build capacity of staff periodically.
He said, “When we came on board, we ensure that trainings are being carried out regularly each year, even though is only once in a fiscal year, this we contacted the human resources department to program the training in such a way that, it will hold quarterly during the year. All these did not happen due to budget constrain of human resources department, but at least under our watch, it is carried out every year”
Also speaking, Comrade Regina appreciated members of the union for coming out in large number to deliberate on issues that affect them, stressing that such attendance was a show of seriousness and commitment.
She however advised members of the union to elect competent members during the forthcoming election, adding that, “choose leaders that have passion for his colleagues and the union.”