The State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming and modernizing the state civil service through digitalization and stronger collaboration with organized Labour and Senior Civil Servants. The Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, mni, stated this during separate courtesy visits by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bayelsa State Chapter, and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Bayelsa State Chapter, in his office in Yenagoa.

Dr. Sawyer, while addressing the NLC delegation led by its Chairman, Comrade Barnabas Simon, reiterated that the government is determined to fully digitalize its civil service operations to enhance productivity, efficiency and service delivery in line with global best practices.

The Head of Service disclosed that training programmes are already ongoing to prepare workers for the transition to a digital work environment, emphasizing that the initiative will revolutionize how government business is conducted. According to him, the digitalization project will improve file management, data retrieval, communication flow, workflow tracking, pension processing, and inter-departmental coordination, while also fostering transparency, accountability, and prompt decision-making across ministries, departments, and agencies.

Dr. Sawyer assured that all necessary modalities are being put in place to ensure that civil servants are adequately trained and retrained to adapt to the new system. He further noted that the government will accelerate the digital transformation process upon the completion of the iconic nine-storey state secretariat complex, adding that a digital-driven civil service will reduce bureaucracy, eliminate delays and promote accountability.

In his remarks, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Barnabas Simon, lauded the Head of Service for his visionary leadership and pledged the union’s readiness to partner with the government in promoting regular training and capacity building for workers.

Among those present were Mr. Yala Joseph Alagoa, Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Training and Pension Bureau; Comrade Enemotimi Allen, Director, Industrial Relations; and Comrade John Angese, NLC State Secretary, alongside others.

In a similar development, Dr. Sawyer reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Bayelsa State Chapter, in order to reposition the civil service for greater efficiency. The Head of Service made this known when he received the ASCSN delegation led by its Chairman, Comrade Julius Laye, during a courtesy visit to his office.

Dr. Sawyer expressed gratitude to the Association for the recognition accorded him, describing it as a motivation to do more. He assured the union of his readiness to deepen collaboration, noting that no meaningful reform can succeed without the support and commitment of civil servants and their unions. He emphasized that Governor Douye Diri’s administration places high priority on workers’ welfare, citing ongoing reforms in promotion exercises, digitization of records.

The Head of Service further disclosed that consultations have commenced with relevant stakeholders on the provision of housing for workers, while pledging to work closely with the Association to enhance productivity, strengthen accountability, and reposition the service as a model of excellence in the Niger Delta. In his remarks, Comrade Laye commended Governor Diri for appointing Dr. Sawyer as Head of Service, describing him as a seasoned professional with the capacity to drive meaningful reforms in the civil service.

He called for regular training and retraining of civil servants to restore professionalism and work ethics, while announcing the completion of a 250-seat secretariat complex for members at Bayelsa Palm Road. He also proposed collaboration between the TUC, NLC, and the Office of the Head of Service to utilize the new facility for training programmes.

The ASCSN Chairman further appealed for government intervention in the completion of the Civil Service Housing Estate, assuring the Head of Service of the union’s support for his reform agenda.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of an award of recognition to Dr. Sawyer by the leadership of the Association.