- In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, the group said there was a need to take action to address the issues and safeguard the souls of the Borno Civil Service
A group of retirees under the aegis of Concerned Borno State Public Servants and Retired Civil Servants has accused Governor Babagana Zulum of brazen violation of the civil service rules and procedures in the selection and appointments of permanent secretaries.
The group said the state has deviated from the established due process and guiding principles towards ensuring fairness and transparency within the civil service.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, the group said there was a need to take action to address the issues and safeguard the souls of the Borno Civil Service.
The group expressed concerns over the way and manner established procedures are being set aside with impunity.
The statement read in part “We must ask ourselves, why should we compromise the very foundation that ensures fairness and meritocracy? Shouldn’t our civil service be a bastion of integrity and adherence to established protocols? These are the questions.
“An alarming development that has come to our attention is the exemption granted to individuals based on their proximity to retirement. It is a fundamental principle that qualifications and merit should be the determining factors in any selection process.
“Yet, we have seen instances where individuals, despite being qualified, were exempted from the necessary exams and screenings simply due to their impending retirement.
This raises concerns about the integrity and fairness of the selection process. Should we not value competence and potential contributions, regardless of retirement timelines?
“Another area of concern is the consideration given to individuals with low performance in the selection process. The purpose of exams and screenings is to identify the most capable individuals who can serve as Permanent Secretaries. However, it is disheartening to learn that some individuals with low scores were still considered for these positions.
This raises questions about the importance placed on competence and merit. Should we not strive for excellence and ensure that those who hold such crucial positions are truly deserving based on their abilities?
“Equally troubling is the composition of the committee responsible for the selection process. It is essential to have a diverse and unbiased group of individuals who can impartially evaluate candidates. However, our observations reveal that the committee members are predominantly retired Permanent Secretaries or directors from the state.
While their experience may be valuable, the lack of independent consultants or external perspectives raises concerns about potential biases and conflicts of interest. Should we not strive for a balanced committee that truly represents the interests of fairness and justice?”
The group also frowned at the action of Governor for placing embargo and rejecting the transfers of many senior staff from the services of Local Government Service Commission to Borno State Civil Service Commission made by the former governor of the State and Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The statement therefore called for immediate payment of the gratuities of the retired civil servants particularly and implementation if 30% minimum wage for local government and LEA workers.
The group also called for the cancellation the appointment of the permanent secretaries and conduct fresh exam which will be handled by independent body not by Governor’s cronies.