(Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Photo by Daily Post Nigeria)
The Anambra State Government has opened an investigation into government officials who are alleged to be missing from state public service and to arrive late for work.
Following Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s unannounced visit to the State Secretariat in March, which revealed that more than 90% of the workforce was absent from their duty posts, some of the impacted employees appeared before the Special Disciplinary Committee on Violation of Public Service Rules.
The committee, which was established in accordance with the Public Service Rules 2021, met on Friday at the State Secretariat Complex’s Office of the Head of Service in Awka to review a number of employees for suspected tardiness and absences.
The panel’s chairperson and Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Head of Service, Nkiru Nwankwo, stated during the exercise that tardiness and absenteeism are against public service regulations and constitute a violation of employment terms.
She emphasized that the current government is dedicated to repositioning the public service for efficiency and effectiveness while cautioning that such offenses are penalized under the law.
She said, The purpose of this activity is to investigate tardiness and absenteeism, which are violations of public service regulations and a breach of the employment contract. Employees ought to adopt a different perspective on their jobs.
Nwankwo advised workers with genuine reasons for absence or lateness to follow due process by formally notifying appropriate authorities in writing and in good time.
She added, “Workers who are dissatisfied should submit letters of voluntary resignation rather than shortchanging the government by receiving salaries for work not done. It is illegal to receive salaries not worked for.”
Speaking as well, Chuma Uwolloh, a member of the committee and Commissioner in the Civil Service Commission, advised employees to take their responsibilities seriously and warned that failing to do so would result in ongoing infractions and penalties.
In a same vein, Chinyere Nwabachili, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, warned employees not to put their personal affairs ahead of their official responsibilities.
Jerome Ilokwu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, had earlier stated that the meeting signified the assessment phase of the disciplinary procedure.
Decisions would be based on answers to questions posed to the impacted employees, Ilokwu continued, and the results would be shared when they were ready. The committee also assured that the Head of Service would intensify unscheduled visits to ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure compliance with public service rules.
Recall that Soludo had, during an unscheduled visit to the State Secretariat on March 26, assessed staff punctuality, conduct, and commitment to duty.
Addressing workers during the visit, the governor warned that non-performing staff who fail to align with the administration’s vision would be disengaged.
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