OHCSF Inaugurates Committee To Promote Health, Welfare Of Staff

Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,OHCSF, has inaugurated a 12-member Committee for promotion of the health and well-being of its staff.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja.

The statement says the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (SWO) in the OHCSF, Dr Comfort Adeosun who represented Dr. Yemi Esan at the inauguration, noted that the initiative is in line with the pillar 6 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP-25), which is to improve the value proposition of staff through continuous promotion of a safe and convenient work environment, well-being, as well as the provision of basic support services for Civil Servants through various activities.

The statement quotes Yemi Esan as saying that inauguration of the Committee marks a significant step towards actualising objectives of the National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), which was developed, amongst other things to provide a general framework for improvement of working conditions and workspace for workers.

While reiterating the need for members to prioritise safety at all times and at all levels, added that a safety audit will be carried out very soon to accord members the opportunity to become the voice and the eyes of safety in the OHCSF.

Membership of the Committee was drawn from the Occupational Health Safety and Environment Department and other critical Departments that are key stakeholders in the implementation of Safety and Health Policy in the OHCSF.

The mandate of the committee, among other things, is to make recommendations to the Management on hazards control measures and other aspects for the improvement of safety, health and welfare of staff in the workplace.

She further encouraged members of the committee to serve with diligence and commitment because the safety and well-being of staff is very essential for improved productivity, as well as quality service delivery.

Also speaking at the event, the Acting Director, OHSE, Bello Kwali, acknowledged the giant strides taken by the OHCSF to domesticate the National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health which was revised in 2020 in the Public Service by issuing a circular in 2022 for establishment of Occupational Safety and Health Desks in all Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He also disclosed that one hundred and fifty (150) OSH Desk Officers have been equipped by the Department in the OHCSF with requisite competencies to coordinate the implementation of OSH activities in MDAs.

PR Florence Adewale