Appointment of permanent secretaries in Plateau will now be based on merit ― Lalong

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has directed that appointment to the position of Permanent Secretary will henceforth be based on professional aptitude tests and examinations that are ICT based and also threatened that his administration will not hesitate to sanction any senior civil servant who fails to deliver his duty as expected.

The governor who handed down the directive on Monday during the swearing-in of the new Head of Service and 14 Permanent Secretaries warned them against promoting ethnicity, religion or politicising the civil service adding that such actions will not be tolerated as the civil service was a professional calling which must remain so.

He urged all civil servants to take advantage of the opportunities provided by Government for training in ICT adding that civil servants will engage in self-development by enrolling in training to equip themselves with the latest knowledge in technology for easy application.

“You should also shun all acts of corruption and compromise that further stifle the system and deny our people the dividends of democracy. Ensure that you work in line with the efforts of the Rescue Administration to manage public resources with transparency and accountability. We are doing everything possible to reduce the cost of governance and generate more revenue internally,” he said.

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He further charged them to embrace prudence and adopt cost-cutting measures to save more funds that will be deployed in meeting the needs of our citizens

“With the commencement of the implementation of the new Revenue Law, we are confident that the income of the State will improve very soon to help us do more things for the people. Until we reach that threshold, I admonish the appointees to be ready to make the necessary sacrifice because of the current economic realities that have been made worse by COVID-19.

The Governor reassured the state civil servants of the commitment of his administration to continue to prioritise their welfare and well-being adding that just like the government has been consistent in the payment of salaries and other entitlements including the new minimum wage, it shall ensure that its workers were trained and retrained for better efficiency.

He said: “Having established the Plateau State Health Insurance Scheme, we are making arrangements to commence the Contributory Pension Scheme which will bring to an end the agony associated with payment of pension and gratuities of retirees. While we await the take-off of the scheme, the Government is currently in talks with financial institutions to facilitate the clearance of accumulated pension, gratuities and death benefits of retirees. All these are meant to alleviate the sufferings of our civil servants in service and retirement.”

He, therefore, challenged the new Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries to work hard and promote better industrial harmony between the Government and its employees.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, the new Head Service, Engr Sunday Hyat, appreciated the Governor for the privilege offered them and assured that they will put in their best to serve the administration and the people of the state.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Appointment of permanent secretaries in Plateau will now be based on merit ― Lalong