By MaryAnn Chukwuma
Defaulting civil servants in Anambra State have appeared before a special disciplinary committee following Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s unscheduled visit to the State Secretariat last month. The committee was constituted to address issues of lateness and absenteeism in line with the Public Service Rule 2021.
The panel, which sat on April 13 at the Committee Room of the Office of the Head of Service, Jerome Udorji Secretariat Complex, Awka, was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Nkiru Jessie Nwankwo, Esq. Other members included selected permanent secretaries, a representative of the Civil Service Commission, and other senior civil servants.
Addressing the affected workers, Barr. Nwankwo stated that lateness and absenteeism violate the Public Service Rules and constitute a breach of contract of employment, punishable under the rules. She urged them to take their jobs seriously, noting that the Soludo administration is determined to transform the public service into an efficient and effective institution, and that anyone who fails to comply would be shown the way out. She charged them to emulate the Head of Service, Ngozi Anuli Iwouno, Esq., mni, and the permanent secretaries who are leading by example.
She advised that any worker with a cogent reason for absence or lateness must observe due diligence by notifying the office officially in writing and on time. She added that disenchanted workers should submit voluntary resignation letters rather than “shortchanging the government by receiving monies not worked for.”
Contributing, a member of the committee and Commissioner in the Civil Service Commission, Barr. Chuma Uwolloh, urged workers to change their psychological mindset towards public service jobs and treat their duties with deserved seriousness. He stressed that without such change, defaulters would continue to fall foul of the Public Service Rules, especially as Anambra transitions into a 21st-century state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Nwabachili Chinyere, also reprimanded workers who prioritize personal businesses over government duties, warning against such conduct.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Jerome Ilokwu, informed the defaulters that the session was an assessment and inquiry stage of the disciplinary process. He said decisions would be based on responses to their queries, and the panel’s resolutions would be communicated to them soon. He further admonished all civil servants to be more diligent for improved efficiency in service delivery.
Meanwhile, the committee assured public servants of frequent unscheduled visits by the Head of Service and her team to ensure compliance.
MaryAnn is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Edited by Chizoba Njaka
