By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday warned permanent secretaries not to engage in actions or inactions that could frustrate the efforts of the new ministers and the federal government.
Speaking at the swearing-in of the new permanent secretaries at the State House in Abuja, the President said he was aware that some of them, including other top civil servants had sabotaged ministers in the past.
He said the present administration would not condone any act of sabotage or misconduct from the permanent secretaries or any government official.
The President also urged the permanent secretaries to be patriotic and dedicated to work, saying he would not condone corruption, indolence and incompetence.
He said: “I must, however, sound a note of warning. It is within public domain that Ministers as Chief Executives of their Ministries as well as other Government officials involved in policy formulation and implementation often complain of the intolerable levels of incompetence, indifference or even suspected sabotage by some of the top echelon of the Civil Service. Even where Permanent Secretaries, in some instances, are exempted from these accusations, they are still responsible and liable for failing to provide the required leadership, control and direction.
“This Administration will not condone any excesses, indifference, incompetence, and corrupt practices in any form. Permanent Secretaries are, therefore, advised to note these words of caution and disseminate them to all civil servants accordingly.
“Permanent Secretaries are the chief advisers to their respective ministers and are responsible for safeguarding public funds and ensuring the propriety of expenditures under their control. They are also responsible for coordinating their respective bureaucracies as well as ensuring effective implementation of all approved government programmes and policies.
“This government was voted into power by popular mandate to implement clearly articulated programmes and policies to re-generate and re-invigorate the national economy. The main focus is to create employment for the youth, fight corruption, tackle insecurity, and diversify our economic base with emphasis on agricultural development solid minerals exploitation as well as provision of infrastructural services.”
The President also disclosed that the present administration deviated from the old criteria of choosing permanent secretaries as part of the change process.
“In keeping with the change mantra of this administration, the process for your selection as Permanent Secretaries was a departure from the previous practice of administering written and oral examinations.
“Instead, a more rigorous selection process, entailing vigorous screening of candidates’ past records, potential and capacity for holding the office, integrity, honesty and sense of commitment was adopted.
“I believe this new selection technique will have, hopefully brought up to light some of the best, dedicated, patriotic and hardworking civil servants to hold this position of trust. It is my hope that your subsequent conduct and performance will not prove this Administration wrong.
“I am sure the Permanent Secretaries and all other civil servants appreciate the fact that I have always considered the Civil Service as an indispensable reservoir of experience, expertise and loyalty. I, therefore, consider the Service as a dependable ally in my quest to change this country for the better.”
Those sworn in are; Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun, Dr. Bukar Hassan, Mrs. Wakama Belema Asifieka, Mr. Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Mr. Sabiu Zakari, Mrs. Obiageli Phyllis Nwokedi and Mr. Aminu Nabegu.
Others are Mrs. Nuratu Jimoh Batagarawa, Mr. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, Mr. Bassey Apkanyung, Mr. Louis Edozien, Dr. Ugo Roy, Mr. Alo Williams Nwankwo, Dr. Shehu Ahmed and Mr. Ogbonnaya Innocent Kalu.
Two newly appointed permanent secretaries – Mr. Bamgbose Olukunle Oladele, and Alhaji Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, were said to be out of the country and would take their oath of office when they return.
