By Iyalla Adaye
President Goodluck Jonathan has said that his administration would take concrete steps to ensure the Civil Service effectively plays its role as the vehicle with which to achieve strong, prosperous and modern Nigeria that can take its place in the comity of nations. Represented by the Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Bello, President Jonathan while declaring open the 3 day 41st Conference of Civil Service Commission with the theme “The Transformation Agenda And The Public Service in Nigeria made this declaration in his address at the Hotel Presidential, Atlantic Hall, Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Jonathan stated that everything would be done to correct its negative perception of the service saying this can be achieved if a paradigm shift involves critical introspection and measurable delivery in the system including efficient, effective, and good corporate governance. According to the President the Federal Government resolved to continue to drive requisite levels of institutional, structural re-organizational on the basis of transparency and accountability and also professional integrity.
He reiterated that it is only when policies and programmes of government at all levels yield greater results and have desired impact on the citizenry and when a well-trained and dedicated civil service effectively implements them in a transparent and professional manner that the envisaged transformation will make meaning..
Some of the reforms over the years being introduced are functional review and structural eorganization of MDAs undertaken in 2007 and 2008 and recently by the Oronsaye Committee, the ongoing Service Delivery [SERVICOM] initiative, Public Procurement Reform, and Budget and Financial Management Reforms amongst others.
Speaking the First Female Head of Service, Deaconess J.O Ayo expressed deep appreciation for the 41st Conference being hosted by the Rivers State government under the able leadership of Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Ayo stated that periodically the Commission should update its regulation in a bid to redeem the character in the system.
She narrated how the Federal Civil Service Commission came into existence as the central Public Board on the acceptance of the Nigerianisation Commission’s Report of 1st January, 1949.
The Chairman Federal Commission also added that, later a Caretaker Central Public Commission was constituted on 3rd May 1952 under the provision of Section 169 of the Nigeria Order-in-Council [Constitution] of 1951.
Deaconess Ayo opined that the Federal Public Service Commission was established on 1st April 1954 through a provision under Section 174 of the Nigeria Order-Council [Constitution] 1954 saying the name was later changed from the Federal Public Service Commission to the Federal Civil Service under Section 140 [b] of the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In addressing some of the issues ,she pointed out that Civil Service should strengthen their relationship by engaging periodically on major policies affecting its states, other Public Institutions and officials who were in the habit of encroaching on the Commission’s mandate should respect the constitutional right of the Civil Service Commissions to appoint, promote and discipline civil servants, and urged the Federal Government to review the much abused Annual Performance Evaluation Report [APER] system.
Also the Commissions will work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and States respectively and will have zero tolerance for all forms of corrupt practices.
Earlier, the Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi in his speech welcomed all the 36 Civil Service Commissions of States including Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory to Port Harcourt Capital of Rivers State. He was represented by his Deputy, Engineer, Tele Ikuru.
