TheCable

The National Council on Establishment (NCE) on Friday announced the approval of an upgraded salary grade level and promotion for engineering graduates in the public service.

The announcement was made at the end of the council’s 40th meeting which held in Owerri, Imo state.

Reading from a statement, Rufus Godwins, head of service Rivers state, said engineering graduates will now receive salary grade level 09 at entry point.

He said after two years of service, qualified engineers would be promoted to the next level- grade level 10.

According to Godwins, the council also approved the creation of “executive cadres for procurement officers” and assistant cadres in the public service, which included vehicle inspection officers (VIO).

Certificates for various roles including surveyors, survey technicians and craftsmen in the civil service as well as restoration of industrial promotion officer cadre from salary grade level 08 to 17 were also approved.

The statement further revealed a restoration and upward review of schools’ housemasters and mistresses’ allowance as well as those of science and mathematics teachers in Unity Schools.

The council canvassed for prompt payment of salaries and retirement benefits, adding that “professional certificates and qualifications issued by professional bodies who seek inclusion in the scheme of service, should be recognised for proficiency purposes only.”

“This is with approval for further necessary action by the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission,” he said.

“The payment of a special allowance to Civil Servants engaged in teaching in Unity Schools should be addressed by the OHCSF with other relevant stakeholders.”

Godwins said the council received 64 memorandums which were deliberated on and referred to the standing committee on schemes of service for further review.

Winifred Oyo-Ita, head of service of the federation, chaired the meeting which was attended by the heads of service from all 36 states and their permanent secretaries.