Retired Perm Secs frown at deterioration in norms and values

RETIRED permanent secretaries in Kwara state have frowned at attitude of some serving civil servants who involve themselves in active politics in the state.

Speaking after the maiden meeting of members of the Kwara State Retired Permanent Secretaries Association in Ilorin on Tuesday, the coordinator of the group, Mrs Bosede Orunmuyi, existing dichotomy between politics and civil service should always be respected by civil servants.

“These days’ norms and values in civil service are not adhered to again. There’s a great deal of indiscipline in service and it’s not making for effective and efficient productivity. Civil servants should be efficient and effective in their duties. They should be able to implement government policies with discipline. Some of them have political affiliation. Some of them are uncontrollable for their bosses among others. We want that to stop. If you want to be in politics go outside the service and practice politics or administration. We believe there’s dichotomy and no matter how small, there should be dichotomy between the civil service and politics. We are all working for same aim and objective for the government but there should be dichotomy”, she said.

The retired permanent secretary, who called for re- orientation and re-training of civil servants in the effective dispensation of government policies and other duties to the letter, said those factors would ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

She also said that the association hoped to assist government in civil service matters, resolving bottlenecks in government and taking care of welfare of the retired permanent secretaries in the state.

“Our main constituency, the civil service is fast deteriorating, with attendant depreciation in adhering to its norms and values. We cannot fold our arms and watch the deterioration of the civil service which we worked assiduously for. There should be pride in service to our fatherland.

“Our knowledge, skill, expertise and experience over the years is indeed a repository of knowledge for the state government to tap into. We are capable of advising government on issues connected with good governance, especially civil service matters

Mrs Orunmuyi, who said that it became imperative for formation of the association in Kwara State because the state remained one of the few states in the federation yet to form a forum, added that the association of retired permanent secretaries would soon culminate into a national association.