Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori yesterday described as waste how some civil servants feigned study-leave with pay and used the opportunity to permanently relocate overseas.
He exposed the act at the swearing-in and inauguration of the chairman and members of the Civil Service Commission as well as Auditor General (Local Government) at Government House, Asaba.
The governor charged the State Civil Service Commission to tackle ‘ghost-worker syndrome’ leading to absenteeism and abandonment of duty posts.
Governor Oborevwori said the civil service remains the major vehicle for the implementation of government’s policies and programmes, adding that an efficient and effective civil service must provide the necessary feedback mechanism for the development of the service and the state.
He said: “It is, therefore, imperative that the Civil Service Commission puts the necessary structures and processes in place that will enhance productivity, promote professional work ethics, boost staff morale and enable optimal resource-utilisation to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of our people.
“In view of the foregoing, it is my earnest expectation that the commission will immediately ensure the recruitment of the best hands to drive the bureaucracy through a very competitive recruitment process devoid of nepotism, favouritism, bias, prejudice or political considerations.
“As a matter of urgency, entrench a culture of discipline of erring officers as a deterrent to others, without fear or favour, and embark on values re-orientation exercise to combat the perennial problems of absenteeism, godfatherism, nepotism, eye service, waste and inefficiency that are often seen in the civil service.”
He urged the new Auditor-General (Local Government) of the state, Mr Ukpaka Ikenna to uphold the values of integrity, independence, objectivity, impartiality, neutrality, confidentiality and professionalism that are expected of the office, adding that he must do his job “no matter whose ox is gored.”
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the chairman, Governing Council of Delta State University, Abraka, Gen Alexander Ogomudia (rtd), thanked Governor Oborevwori for finding them worthy to serve, assuring that they would bring their wealth of experience to bear on their jobs.
He assured that all the appointees would work hard to meet the expectations of the governor for the overall development of the state.