Buhari admits breaking norm in appointment of Perm Secs

The President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday admitted breaking the norm to appoint the new batch of permanent secretaries. As has been the rule in the past, career civil servants who were qualified for the position had towrite tests and the best picked. However the President said other criteria were used in the selection process, which saw even some none civil servants appointed as Permanent Secretaries.

But the President warned the new permanent secretaries that his administration will not condone any excesses, indifference, incompetence, and corrupt practices in any form.

Following a mass retirement, Monday, the President had appointed 18 new permanent secretaries. Six took the oath of office with two currently out of the country. Those who took the oath of office include; Ayotunde Adesugba, Taiwo Abidogun, Bukar Hassan, Wakama Belema Asifieka, Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Sabiu Zakari,  Obiageli Phyllis Nwokedi, Aminu Nabegu, Alo Williams Nwankwo, Shehu Ahmed, Ogbonnaya Innocent Kalu, Nuratu Jimoh Batagarawa, Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, Bassey Apkanyung, Louis Edozien, Ugo Roy. While Mahmoud Isa-Dutse and Bamgbose Olukunle Oladele were absent.

Sounding a note of warning, the President said it was public knowledge that Ministers as Chief Executives of their Ministries as well as other Government officials involved in policy formulation and implementation often complain of the intolerable levels of incompetence, indifference or even suspected sabotage by some of the
top echelon of the Civil Service.

According to him, even in instances where Permanent Secretaries, are exempted from these accusations, they are still responsible and liable for failing to provide the required leadership, control and direction.

“This Administration will not condone any excesses, indifference, incompetence, and corrupt practices in any form. Permanent Secretaries are therefore advised to note these words of caution and disseminate them to all Civil Servants accordingly” he said.

Speaking shortly after administering the oath of office on the new Permanent Secretaries, the President asked them to see their appointment which came at a time when the nation’s economy and revenue base are very low, as an emergency call to duty.

“In keeping with the change mantra of this Administration the process for your selection as Permanent Secretaries was a departure from the previous practice of administering written and oral examinations.
Instead, a more rigorous selection process, entailing vigorous screening of candidates’ past records, potential and capacity for holding the office, integrity, honesty and sense of commitment was adopted” he said .

The President said he believes that the new selection technique will have, hopefully brought up to light some of the best, dedicated, patriotic and hardworking Civil Servants to hold this position of trust.  “It is my hope that your subsequent conduct and performance will not prove this Administration wrong” he added .

Permanent Secretaries are the Chief Advisers to their respective Ministers and are responsible for safeguarding public funds and
ensuring the propriety of expenditures under their control.  They are also responsible for coordinating their respective bureaucracies as well as ensuring effective implementation of all approved Government
programmes and policies.

If Nigeria has to realize its full potentials for greatness, its Civil Service must first understand and accept the “change mantra” of this Administration, and then lead its spread through all the institutions of governance and the economy, the President stated .

 

Elizabeth Archibong