A group of retired individuals, calling themselves Concerned Borno State Public Servants and Retired Civil Servants, have accused Governor Babagana Zulum of not following the proper rules and procedures when selecting and appointing permanent secretaries.Â
They believe the state has moved away from the established due process and principles that ensure fairness and transparency in the civil service.
In a statement shared with journalists in Abuja, the group emphasized the need to take action to address these issues and protect the integrity of the Borno Civil Service. They expressed worry about how established procedures are being ignored without consequences.
The group raised questions about compromising the foundation that guarantees fairness and meritocracy in the civil service.
They questioned whether the civil service, meant to uphold integrity and adhere to established protocols, should be allowed to deviate from these principles.
An alarming concern highlighted in their statement is the special treatment given to individuals nearing retirement.
Despite being qualified, some individuals were exempted from exams and screenings based solely on their upcoming retirement.
This sparked concerns about the fairness of the selection process, leading to questions about whether competence and potential contributions should be disregarded due to retirement timelines.
The group also expressed unease about individuals with low performance being considered for permanent secretary positions.
They argued that exams and screenings are meant to identify the most capable candidates, raising doubts about the importance placed on competence and merit in the selection process.
Another issue brought to attention is the composition of the committee responsible for the selection process. The group observed that the committee mainly consists of retired Permanent Secretaries or directors from the state, potentially introducing biases and conflicts of interest.
They suggested the importance of a balanced committee that includes independent consultants or external perspectives to ensure fairness and justice.
The group criticized Governor Zulum for imposing an embargo and rejecting the transfers of senior staff from the Local Government Service Commission to the Borno State Civil Service Commission, a decision made by the former governor, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The group called for immediate payment of gratuities for retired civil servants, the implementation of a 30% minimum wage for local government and LEA workers, and the cancellation of the appointment of permanent secretaries.
They proposed conducting a fresh exam handled by an independent body to address the concerns raised about the current selection process.
The statement emphasized the urgent need to honor the commitment to implementing the minimum wage for local government and LEA employees to ensure fair compensation for their hard work.
