The Clerk of Lagos State House of Assembly, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko has counseled public servants working in the Assembly and its Commission to embrace farming as an avenue to shore up their earnings owing to the unfriendly economic realities.
Onafeko according to a statement issued by Omolola Alli-Balogun, Head, Public Affairs Unit Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, gave the charge in his speech as the Guest Speaker at the 2nd edition of staff sensitization forum organized by the (LAHASCOM) at its office in Oregun, Ikeja.
Addressing the theme of the forum:Current Economic Reality and Contemporary Issues Relating to Managing Staff Welfare Package,Onafeko affirmed that farming is a gainful venture which staffers are legally encouraged to do and that owing to the prevailing economic realities it is more beneficial.
While urging officers to be more proactive in developing other avenues through which they could earn additional income, the Clerk charged officers not to be complacent, adding that engaging in farming could solve hunger and bring down the high prices of food being protested against by workers.
“You need to go into farming, because we are allowed to engage in it and use the proceeds from it to argument our salary as public servants. This can be done to cushion the effects of the insufficient food crisis across the nation.”
The Clerk also task staffers on the need to ensure the sanctity of the institution by not divulging official information to anyone,without government authorization.
He further advised that any officer entrusted with official information or document is subject to the official Secret Act and prohibited from disclosing such to any person, except in accordance with official routine or special permission of the government.
“Remember that all of you have sworn to oath of secrecy the day you assumed office. So, you are expected to keep to the oath. Divulging official secrets at this level is a criminal offence that attracts dire consequences,” he warned.
He also stated that whatever “document in any officers’ care was entrusted to the person holding the office in confidence and abusing such privilege amounts to gross misconduct and violation of the Public Service Rules which is punishable in Law.”
He advised against speaking ill of the country’s economic situation and urged officers to resign appropriately before travelling abroad for greener pastures.
“Let’s change our mindset and not run the country down. Some of the people that travelled abroad for the purpose of greener pastures are yet to secure jobs. It is not easy to get jobs there, though we think otherwise”, Onafeko said.
Onafeko disclosed that Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, the Speaker of the Assembly has been magnanimous enough in catering for the welfare of the workers by approving substantial increase in some allowances. He however charged the staffs to be more appreciative of the good gesture by being dutiful, hardworking and working assiduously towards better service delivery and showcasing the achievements of the Assembly.
The Acting Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Commission (LAHASCOM), Otunba Richard Akin Oshungboye had earlier commended the leadership of the House for ensuring staff welfare takes precedence over other matters. He said the event was put together to share perspectives on the roles played by the House and the Assembly Commission to ensure officers are more diligent and efficient in their duties.
The event was attended by the Members, Management and the staff of the Commission.