BENIN CITY: Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki said there is no automatic promotion for Civil Servant in the State anymore as promotion will now be based on performance as every worker in the state must justify their promotion on annual bases.
He made this known when he received members of the Civil Service Commission led by the chairman Princess (Mrs) Ekiuwa Inneh who were in government house in Benin City on a courtesy visit.
Obaseki said it was revealing the examination conducted by ASCOM on level 16 to 17 officers in the Civil Service as it shows the competency of the workforce. “We called ASCOM to help us conduct examination for our level 16 to 17 officers and the examination was quiet revealing and based on it, we made some promotions and asked some others to leave the service and they will be informed as there is no automatic promotion, you have to justify your promotion on an annual bases.
He said those that have done well in the promotion examination will be rewarded; those who have not will be trained and given opportunities to improve while those lagging behind will be asked to go as the era of a permanent job is gone. “If someone score 13 0r 14 per cent in an examination should such a person be asked to stay.
Obaseki added that his administration has placed on suspension those who decided not to write the exams and will not be reabsorbed into the system until they write the exams to enable the government understand their competency. “Next grade to write the exams include level 13, 14, 15. We truly want to have a professional Civil Service and once that is achieved, we will now focus on motivation, encouraging the workers to deliver effectively.
He said Edo State government is paying 30 billion naira to public servant every year in the state but not sure if the value she is getting yearly is up to 5 billion.
Obaseki said the human resources of every organization is the core of such organization as such should not be taken for granted as he called on the state civil service to embrace technology which is the order of the day saying it drives the process and commission and other commission should embrace it.
Earlier, the Chairman of the commission, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh congratulated the governor on his victory at the polls and his subsequent victory at the Election Petition Tribunal, Appeal Court and the Supreme Court saying that his election is a reflection of his exceptional contributions towards the development of the state.
She said as at 31st December 2015 the state total staff strength is 2,575, 964 were junior staff, 1,196 senior staff, 378 management staff and 34 officers on consolidated salary. She said there was a gender distribution of 1,528 males and 1,047 females.
“Within the period, 617 officers were promoted, 17 were offered new appointments, 140 had their appointments confirmed, while 3 officers were absorbed into permanent establishment. Approvals for the retirement of 128 officers were granted within same period. 12 death recorded.
Inneh said the commission is faced with several challenges which include payment of special allowance recommended; adequate funding; upgrading of the office equipment and furniture; provision of vehicles etc.
