By Enefiok Ndon
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has concluded arrangements to adopt e-government with the starting of the automation of the public service records and processes in the state.
The state head of service, Elder Effiong Essien, who dropped the hint while declaring open the 2002 Pre-Promotion Examination Seminar for Level 06-16, conducted by the Civil Service Commission at the Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, Uyo Tuesday, said that the development made it mandatory for all workers to be sufficiently equipped with the necessary information and communication technology (ICT) skills and competence so as to be able to fit into the new digital service.
According to him, the policy of officers having to sit for examination before promotion was to refresh, test and broaden the knowledge base of the workforce and properly reposition the highly cherished institution to meet the emerging challenges and demands of the contemporary workplace.
Essien added that realization of the development informed the need to re-focus public service towards intellectualism and topmost performance, with each ministry, department and agency expected to conduct assessment tests for their staff members to refresh their knowledge on job schedule, overall general knowledge and a grasp of other service matters in line with a new vision to institutionalize a knowledge basedservice.
He pointed out that the practice where officers were promoted on the basis of having spent mandatory years on a post gave rise to a situation where the output level of some officers declined because everyone was certain that promotion was sure to come after every three or four years as the case might be.
“Much attention was not given to self-improvement and what an individual could offer to the system. Most officers exhibit laisser-faire attitude to service delivery,” he noted.
He further noted that high performers during such assessment tests would be adequately commended and rewarded, and might count at promotion interview.
The number one civil servant appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for his sincere concern for the welfare of workers as demonstrated in the approval for the conduct of the seminar and examination as well as the regular payment of workers’entitlements, including other welfare packages such as; industrialization, infrastructural development and investment in economic viable sectors as in maritime and aviation.
He observed that the promotion examination policy in the public service has yielded tremendous dividends as equity, justice and fair play have been done to all and sundry within the system.
“It has compelled hitherto inept, seemingly empty and unproductive officers to sit up, knowing that this is the only way they can advance in their service career.The outstanding competent, hardworking and diligent officers have also continued to enjoy the reward of regular promotion strictly based on merit and their measurable contributions to service delivery in their various ministries, departments and agencies,” he stated.
Essien assured that the government will continue to support agencies charged with the responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing and career progression of employees to deliver on their mandates.
He acknowledged what he described as excellent performance by the chairman of the commission, Mrs Ekereobong Umoh, as evidenced in the giving of due and prompt attention to all staff matters and the successful conduct and release of 2020-2021 promotions.
Announcing that the governor had given vent to the review of the Akwa Ibom Public Service Rules which was ready for gazeting and subsequent circular to that effects, he emphasized that the issue of staff discipline would be taken seriously, particularly lateness to work and therefore urged participants to actively participate in all discussions and presentations during the seminar to sharpen themselves for effective service delivery and to be able to scale through the examinations, adding that attendance at the seminar would be the final consideration for promotion.
The chairman of Civil Service Commission, Mrs Ekereobong Umoh, who lauded the governor for approving the conduct of seminars, examinations and promotions, noted that the policy of promotion examination was initiated by the Federal Service Commission and adopted by all states in the federation, including Akwa Ibom in 2006.
“A well informed officer should be well equipped with service rules and regulations, extant circulars and government policies in handling his schedule of duties with pride. You cannot be well informed when you are not timely updated in current demands of the dynamic working environment,” she emphasized.
She maintained that the civil service was a dynamic and systematic organization where nobody was expected to stagnate or become frustrated and unable to assume the level of higher responsibility.
According to her: “In all fairness, the civil service has a robust reward system for hardworking, dedicated and committed officers in all cadres, like special promotions, acting appointment, etc. Therefore, prepare yourself to be that seasoned officer because it is a thing of joy to be converted from the rank of a porter to an engineer, accountant, administrative officer, etc.”
Umoh hinted that in 2019, 2132 workers participated in the promotion exercise; 2020 saw a total of 2,163 candidates taking part, while in 2021 , 4,090 officers participated , with 91 per cent being successful and in 2022, 2,823 workers were doing the exercise.
The training, she stressed, was not only for promotion and improved performance but for sound mind, confidence and dexterity in dealing with issues around workers, hence the government considers them very indispensible in the implementation of government policies and programmes.
Papers presented at the seminar were: Personnel Management in Government by Sir Essang Bassey, retired permanent secretary; Application of Civil Service Rules and Government Circulars by Mrs Ekaete Ebong; Security and Management by Mrs Elsie Peters; Use of English by Mrs Bassey Essiet, permanent secretary and Office Practice by Mrs Rose Peters.
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