Abia government commences verification of workers’ certificates
The Abia State Government has commenced the verification of 7,582 out of the 36,875 certificates uploaded online by civil servants.
According to Leadership, this verification is part of an ongoing exercise aimed at streamlining the service within various institutions.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, provided these details during a media briefing about the latest Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
During his address, Kanu disclosed that, of the total 36,875 certificates uploaded, 25,458 were career documents.
This exercise followed a government directive requiring civil and public servants in ministries, departments, agencies, and the 17 local government areas to upload their credentials online.
The Commissioner explained that this directive was a result of discoveries made by the government when it sought to make certain appointments from within the service. “The governor, Alex Otti, asked that the files of workers be looked through and those who are qualified to take up those positions, let their papers be brought forward,” Kanu stated.
However, when the files of some senior civil servants were reviewed, several necessary documents were found to be missing.
Initially, the government considered conducting a “show-your-credentials” exercise but decided against it for several reasons. Despite this, the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), along with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), criticized the directive. They alleged that it was a disguised attempt at conducting a second staff verification exercise within a year of the current administration’s tenure.
In response to these criticisms, Commissioner Kanu dismissed the allegations, asserting that these groups spoke from a place of ignorance regarding the government’s needs at that time. He emphasized that the verification process was necessary to ensure the integrity and proper functioning of the civil service.
This certificate verification exercise is a critical step in addressing the discrepancies found within the civil service. The government’s decision to require the upload of credentials was prompted by the need to ensure that appointments and promotions within the service were based on verified qualifications. This move aims to create a more efficient and transparent system, ultimately benefiting the state’s administration and its citizens.
Governor Alex Otti’s administration has prioritized transparency and accountability within the civil service. The verification process is part of broader efforts to reform the public sector and enhance its efficiency. By ensuring that only qualified individuals occupy key positions, the government seeks to improve service delivery and governance in Abia State.
The verification exercise also stresses the importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date records within the civil service. It is a proactive measure to prevent issues related to unqualified personnel occupying critical roles.
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