Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF, Didi Esther Walson-Jack has provided an update on the lingering issue of ghost workers in the civil service.
Speaking at a press conference to mark her 100 days in office on Monday in Abuja, the HCSF said some of such workers have to their job in Nigeria while others resigned honourably.
According to Walson-Jack, the momentum would be sustained to fish out such workers as the campaign is a continuous exercise.
Her words: “On the civil servants who have ‘japa’, the issue came up, and there were verifications done. One of them returned to the country to continue working while some other resigned honourably,” she said.
“Right now, it’s just to sustain the momentum. We’re still scrutinising using the IPIS HR and the IPIS payroll to know who is there and who’s out.
“I think that’ll be a continuous process to ensure that people are not having their cake and eating it by going outside and still receiving their salaries.
“Progress has been made in this regard, and we’ll ensure that it is completely dealt with.
On the issue of harmonisation of workers’ salaries, the HoS said “the issue has been on for quite some time. When I came in, I tried to find out where we are on that I’m aware that the National Wages, Income and Salary Commission is working very hard on that. I’m also aware there is a presidential committee on Salary.
“And being a member of that committee, I can assure you that the committee is working hard to deal with all the issues concerning salaries. I want to remind you that just before the minimum wage was approved, there was what we called a wage award, and that also was very beneficial to the salaries of civil servants.”
The Head of Service also said collaboration has been the heartbeat of her efforts.
She disclosed that her office is collaborating with the United Nations and other international bodies to ensure productivity and efficiency in the service nationwide.
“At the international level, I had the privilege of meeting with the United Kingdom’s Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Rt. Hon. Simon Case. This engagement opened avenues for collaboration, including capacity building and the exchange of best practices that will strengthen the Federal Civil Service. This productive discussion was complemented by my meeting with the British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, where we discussed the expansion of cooperation in Civil Service reforms aimed at enhancing productivity and governance in both nations”.
” I also represented Nigeria in the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where I delivered a speech on Agenda Item 22 (Eradication of Poverty) and Item 24 (Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition). These opportunities have enabled us to showcase Nigeria’s commitment to global development goals and to learn from international best practices”, Walson-Jack explained.
Highlights of the event were the launch of the Civil Service welfare Newsletter and Civil Service newspaper, aimed at keeping Federal Civil Servants of the activities in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
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