OSAS EMMANUEL
The Federal Government yesterday urged civil servants in the country to act above board and remain non-partisan in the discharge of their duties during the forthcoming general elections.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, made the call during the 12th Federal Council Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Civil Service Union in Abuja.
“As the country readies for the 2023 general elections, permit me to remind civil servants of the unique role they will be playing in their various capacities to ensure the success of the polls.
“I urge you to act above board in all your actions during the elections and remain non-partisan in the discharge of your duties,” Bello, whose speech was read at the event, said.
He noted the civil Servants, being engine room of governments, would continue to play vital roles, especially in the areas of formulation of government policies and implementation of same.
“Guided by the principles of non-partisanship and professionalism, the civil service is the bastion of stability and continuity and perhaps most importantly it ensures the public’s confidence in the government’s management of its affairs.
“The public’s lose of confidence in the civil service, most certainly will have dire consequences for the overall government structure as well,” Bello warned.
He added: “It is therefore imperative that civil servants and the civil service as a body maintains a well-organised and dynamic structure that is able to adapt to changing times and situations and still maintain its core values of non-partisanship and strict professionalism.
“That is why the civil service unions are expected to always be alive to their responsibilities of constantly canvassing for the welfare and wellbeing of their members so as to ensure that they always perform optimally.”
The minister said his administration place a premium on the wellbeing of personnel, adding that the Federal Capital Territory Administration does not take for granted their hardwork and sacrifices.
“That is why we have continued to invest in the training and retraining of our staff, ensured the provision of a conducive work environment, prompt payment of salaries and allowances and make certain that promotions are carried out when and as due.
“The establishment of the annual staff recognition and award programme, a unique reward system that encourages hard work and innovation in the work place has further boosted morale and increased productivity,” he added.
The outgoing council Chairman of the NSCU, Timothy Odebunmi urged members of the union to proffer solutions to the many problems confronting the country.
“Our country needs leaders that will solve existing problems and not who initiated them, Odebunmi said.
Also speaking, the NSCU National President, Sunday Adeleye, urged the delegates not to allow the outcome of the election to divide the union.
Adeleye further sued for continued peace in the union, even as he urged all the contestants to abide by the decision of the delegates through the ballot.
“Whoever wins is our chairman. Whoever wins we will support him.”
Also speaking, the Representative of the Head of Civil Service, Service Welfare Office, Industrial Relations division, Mr. Tende Dangana, described the delegate conference as an opportunity to elect people that will push for the welfare of the civil service and not those that will come into office with the sole aim of enriching themselves.
“Tomorrow, if things are not working well, let your conscience prick you on the kind of leader that you voted in.”
He cautioned the incoming leaders to abide by the Constitution of the union, especially as it concerns their tenure in office.
In the Council report, the Assistant General-Secretary, Comrade Daniel Otakpo, charged union members to vote in leaders with visionary ideas that will transform the country from a consumer to productive economy.
