Bauchi: Governor Mohammed warns civil servants against partisan politics

The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed has warned civil servants in the state against engaging in partisan politics.

The governor noted the need for civil servants to be acquainted with the norms and values of the service to avoid trial and error in the discharge of their duties. 

Mohammed who spoke on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of 12 newly-appointed permanent secretaries stressed that lack of proper monitoring and supervision has led to an increase in misconduct and a decline in productivity among civil servants.

He assured that his administration remains committed to restoring the lost glory of the state's civil service through actualization of a knowledge-driven service.

He said: "Misconduct and declining productivity in the civil service are due to lack of proper monitoring and supervision.

"The Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) which is supposed to be the barometer for gauging the conduct and performance of civil servants is being flagrantly abused to the extent that it has become a mere formality done only for the purpose of promotion without consideration for the actual performance or conduct of the officers reported upon. 

"It is worrisome that Heads of Personnel of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies could not even care to ensure that APERS are administered to their staff on a regular basis. 

"There are instances where the APERS are administered in arrears of two to three or more years. 

"Even where the APERS are administered, there are also instances where habitual truants, indolent or inefficient officers are rated favorably inspite of their glaring shortcomings.

"Consequently, civil servants no more earn their promotion, but they simply wait to attain the minimum number of years for promotion to the next grade level, regardless of their conduct or performance. 

"This ignoble practice must stop. The Head of Civil Service and Special Adviser on civil service are hereby directed to take appropriate action to address the anomaly."