by Fidelia Ben-Udi
The Chairman, Civil Service Commission (CSC), Dame Patience Okuofu JP, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission to enforce discipline in the State Civil Service.
She made this statement while performing one of the statutory functions of the Civil Service Commission, a monitoring exercise of the MDAs which took place at the Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.
The Chairman asserted that no political influence is permitted in the process of discipline as the Commission has a template for handling such issues which is followed to the letter when issues come up.
She remarked that a whistle blowing outfit has been set up to check the activities of MDAs bothering around indiscipline and disclosed the intension of the Commission to create a more regular forum for interaction between the Commission and the management staff of MDAs.
She applauded the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa for responding to the reports and recommendations of the CSC concerning the working conditions of Civil Servants by providing a conducive work environment.
She therefore charged Civil Servants to maximize the facility and justify it, while she urged the management staff of the MDAs to carry the Commission along in aspects of their dealings that may concern them.
The first member of the Commission Lady Roseline Amioku JP, earlier standing in for the Chairman addressed a couple of issues which include punctuality, study leave and promotions. She urged Civil Servants to endeavour to resume at 8am which is resumption time.
Further speaking, Lady Amioku, went on to address the issues bothering around study leave, stating that all those who are given approval to study with pay must comply with the Civil Service bond of agreement.
She stressed that failure to comply would lead to the sack of the officer in question and refund of all financial benefits after the expiration of the bond duration.
Driving the point home, she urged Permanent Secretaries and Directors to be vigilant, monitor the progress of such members of staff and keep the Commission posted on developments regarding all such matters, as they would be held responsible for lapses if any.
Still addressing the staff of the Directorates of Culture and Tourism and Humanitarian and Community Support Services, who took the first turn in this second week of the monitoring exercise, she emphasized on the need for the MDAs to include a member of the Commission in constituting disciplinary committees.
Speaking on promotions, she advised the MDAs to ensure they send their promotion briefs early enough to facilitate the pace of the promotion process. She disclosed that the CSC takes promotion exams very seriously and as such urged civil servants to do so too.
“Work hard to make the cut off and avoid failure which may lead to stagnance. The exams will be a work over for those who come to work”
The PS Culture and Tourism, Mrs Angalaere Umukoro, ably represented by the director Admin, Vera Efenedo in her opening remark stated that the CSC is a learning ground for every staff. Having begun work at the CSC, she said it has helped her to function effectively at every level.
She applauded the CSC for striving to maintain the standard of the service as she welcomed the Chairman and members of the commission praying for a fruitful deliberation.
The Commission made room for interaction with the staff of the MDAs present which made for questions and suggestions on how the Commission could become more effective.
