Yemi-Esan Urges Civil Servants to Exploit Anonymous Reporting System to Speak Out
By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has called on Civil Servants to utilize the provided Anonymous Reporting System (ARS) on the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’s website to direct grievances, anomalies, suggestions and comments from their different MDAs.
She made the call during an interactive session with selected civil servants across all MDAs in the Federal Civil Service, in commemoration of 2022 Civil Service Week Celebration on Monday, in Abuja.
While encouraging Civil Servants to embrace the various initiatives introduced to change the perceived negative image of the Service, Dr. Yemi-Esan stated that ARS, which is one of the innovative ideas harvested at the maiden Innovation Challenge, can curtail unwholesome practices and most especially checkmate excesses of the management.
With the ARS, civil servants according to her are at liberty not only to report issues but also, to air their views and proffer possible solutions to some problems within the Service.
She encouraged participants to brave all odds and report anomalies, assuring that, no one will be penalized for reporting irregularities defacing the system.
She further urged participants to rise up to their responsibilities, do the right thing at the right time for expected result that will yield the desired change. By so doing, the Service will regain its lost glory, thereby translating into a change of perception and greater relevance to the nation, she added.
Yemi-Esan, shared her Singaporean experience, where their Civil Servants understudy the private sectors in order to acquire additional experiences that will help them in effective and efficient performance on their job. On this, the Head of Service reminded Officers that reject posting, that they are denying themselves opportunities and experiences. She also disclosed that the Office is working towards automating postings.
Commenting on her Indian experience, she intimated the audience that meritocracy is the watchword. According to her, India has the best merit-based Civil Service devoid of political interference. She lamented that the one of the banes of the Nigerian Civil Service is political interference.
She also highlighted a number of impactful initiatives such as the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021- 2025): Induction, LEAD-P, SMAT-P, which are already in place as transformative measures to better the service and make it world class, capable of competing favorably with those of other parts of the world.
Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, welcomed Civil Servants to the Interactive Session, commended the efforts of the Head of Service in the implementation of FCSSIP25 and implored all to cue into the transformative agenda for the emergence of a new Civil Service.
The Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, while giving his vote of thanks, enjoined participants to join hands in making the pursued transformation a reality.
Civil Servants were given the opportunity to ask questions and suggest ways Service could be transformed. Issues on inadequate training in MDAs, undigitized files, reward and recognition of civil servants for motivation purposes, stagnation of Officers, unpaid promotion Arrears, delayed promotion results among others received adequate responses and clarifications, as the participants left the arena satisfied and happy.
Signed: M A.Ahmed, Deputy Director, Communications, HoS.
