Nigeria: 5 Good Reasons Why States Should Reduce Working Days

kemi

Social Member
Many thought it was a joke when Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha announced a reduction in the number of working days in the state civil service from 5 to 3.

okorocha.jpg

According to the policy which took effect from August 1, 2016, public servants in the state would now work from Mondays to Wednesdays, and use Thursdays and Fridays for agriculture (farming) while Saturdays can be used for ceremonies.

As expected, the Nigaria Labour Congress, NLC, kicked against the policy, saying that the governor does not have the power to determine working days in the state contrary to what the Nigeria constitution has already prescribed.

However, in many ways, the pros of the policy outweighs its cons. Here are 5 reasons Nigerian governors should toll the path of Governor Okorocha.

1. Efficiency

A typical Nigerian civil servant resumes office two hours late, does the day’s work (if there is any) for two hours and spend the remaining time to either gossip or run personal errands. This practice cuts across the federal, state and local government civil service. However, if the working days are reduced, it will ignite the sense of efficiency in the workers. Knowing well that they only have three days to meet the week’s target.

2. Agricultural boost

According to Governor Okorocha’s plan, the workers are to work on their farms the remaining two days. This is a very good development considering the dwindling price of oil in global market and the urgent need for agricultural improvement. However, the remaining days should not mandatorily be spent in the farms, states should adopt policies which fits the political, economic, social and cultural realities of the land.

3. Reduction in government spending

If salaries are not reduced, the administrative expenses of maintaining a civil servannt will be cut by two days, about 40%. This will allow the government to channel its resources to infrastructure and other social amenities.

4. Increase in export, reduction in import

In a time when Nigeria is aiming to diversify its economy, such policy should be embraced with both hands. With an improved investment in agriculture, the states will produce more thereby increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Nigeria will import less and export more.

5. Redundant British system

The civil service system bequeathed to Nigeria by Britain is completely stale and out of trend. The structure of the civil service has made it technically unproductive, hence the urgent need to overhaul the system. Of what use is a system where many gets paid with the state resources and in return, repatriates nothing into the state’s coffers.
 
Back
Top