From Dauda R Pam MAIDUGURI
Attn NewsEditor.
Borno state Governor,Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered for the immediate transfer of all staff of the state pension and salaries board,from top to bottom, following glaring anomalies detected during the recent payment of gratuities to retired civil servants.
The governor directed the SSG,Alh.Usman Jidda Shuwa and head of service,HOS,Hassan Bulama,to effect the transfers without further,though,the total quantum of the anomaly was not given,however,said the need to inject new blood has become imperative to avert future occurrence.
GOVERNOR ZULUM who was visibly angry handed over the instructions on Thursday,at the swearing in ceremony of 14 new permanent secretaries.
He said, when he took over the mantle of leadership in the state, he promised to reinvigorate the civil service for greater efficiency and optimal productivity as well as improving the institutional and human capacity to work and handle effectively the issues of inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in the civil service.
According to the governor, the permanent secretaries are the engine room for the transformation agenda, so as technical heads of their ministries, they are expected to spearhead the implementation of all policies and programmes of government devoid of any rancour.
Among other things, he said ,the permanent secretaries are equally expected to ensure probity and prudence in the public finance management, staff discipline and efficient management of human resources to achieve organizational goals.
Prof. Zulum said, governance in a crisis situation is very difficult with daunting challenges, but inspite of this, and upon assumption of office, he was able to launch with full force development agenda for quick economic recovery, job creation ,revitalize the health and education sectors, as well as restoring hope for the people.
He also thanked the labour leaders in the state for their understanding and patience to enable government carry out the reform process gradually, assuring better working conditions for the civil servants as demonstrated by moving his office to the state secretariat.
According to him, all the permanent secretaries were selected based on their competence, track record and working experience as well as quota system and urged them to discharge their duties without fear or favour.
Earlier in his vote of thanks on behalf of all the newly sworn in permanent secretaries, Alh. Tahir Mohammed thanked the governor for finding them worthy of the job and assured him that they will work assiduously in order to justify the confidence reposed in them.
