President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday directed the Head of Service of the Federation to provide immediate solutions to corruption and other unethical practices in the nation’s civil service.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, gave the directive at this year’s Civil Service Week Dinner/Award night at the State House, Abuja.
He said the measure would check corrupt practices in the system since the Federal Civil Service was a critical vehicle in the efforts to transform the country.
“I’m aware that the federal civil service is the critical vehicle in our efforts to transform Nigeria, therefore, the Service must first transform itself in order to be able to achieve that role.
“In order to do this, it is imperative that the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, which is the pinnacle of the management structure of the Federal Civil Service, is set in the right direction if it is to set the right pace, tone and direction for the entire Service.
“Therefore, the need to check the rot and unethical practices is compelling, hence imperative of cleaning up the Service of those found to be bringing dishonour to it, if we are to achieve high levels of responsiveness in meeting the needs of the people and our commitment to zero-tolerance policy on corruption.”
According to him, the Federal Government has restructured the civil service to meet the challenges of the global best practice.
Jonathan said that the restructuring would enable the Service to provide world-class services as well as serve as a model to Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He assured that government was committed to building the competency and efficiency of the Nigerian Civil Service by strengthening its sense of responsibility and obligation to serve the citizens with absolute commitment.
The president commended the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for organising the event and for honouring and rewarding the retired Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, some retired Permanent Secretaries and other serving officers.
In his remark, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Aji, said the Federal Civil Service had enormous responsibility on its shoulders and therefore, “it behoves it to be responsive and proactive in the discharge of its duty”.
Aji said the award was in three categories namely, “A”, Distinguished Public Service Award for the retired Head of Civil Service of the Federation; “B”, the Distinguished Public Service career Award for the retired Permanent Secretaries and “C”, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Commendation for Service Award.
Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, the immediate past Head of Service of the Federation, who responded on behalf of other awardees, thanked the Federal Government for the gesture.
Sali pledged that they would continue to contribute their quota, even in retirement, to the development of the country.
