ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, sworn-in newly appointed permanent secretaries, with a warning not to indulge in sabotage and corrupt practices.
His administration, he sounded, will not condone excesses, indifference, and incompetence in any form.
“I must, however, sound a note of warning. It is within public domain that ministers as chief executives of their ministries and 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”, he continued.
The President also noted that in keeping with the change mantra of his administration, the process for the permanent secretaries’ selection was different from the previous practice of administering written and oral examinations.
According to him, a more rigorous method was adopted in the selection, stressing, “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”, he added.
