The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOSCF), Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, has stated that punctuality, discipline, and zero tolerance to corruption, are essential qualities of a good civil servant.
Alhaji Aji, who made the above statement at a one-day interactive session with Imo State-based federal civil servants, on Thursday, 20th March, 2014, at Disney Hotel, Owerri, Imo State, informed that the main purpose of the visit was to have firsthand information on the challenges facing Imo State-based federal civil servants.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr. John Chukwu, the HOSCF briefed the federal civil servants on the achievements of the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration, which, according to him include, power sector reforms, reformation of the aviation sector, rehabilitation of the railway system, construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge, construction/rehabilitation of federal roads, and public service reforms, and urged all to support the agenda by working diligently.
Earlier in her speech, the Chairman, Association of Heads of Federal Establishments, Imo State Chapter, Dr. Mrs. T. N. Alily, thanked the HOSCF for his thoughtfulness in organizing such a meeting, and used the opportunity to present some of the challenges facing the organization, which include erosion site at the Unity Primary School, built by the organization and the poor state of the Federal Secretariat, Owerri, requesting the HOSCF to come to their aid.
The highlight of the event was the interactive session which gave the audience the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications on some issues, ranging from National Housing Loan Scheme, discrimination of HND holders in the service, disparity in salary structure, leave allowances, delay in promotion, poor condition of service, and difficulties associated with the newly introduced Integrated Personnel Payroll Information Systems (IPPIS).
The representative of the HOSCF, Dr. John Chukwu, responded to all the questions and promised to present the issues to the HOSCF for further necessary action.
On the whole, the federal civil servants in Imo State were very appreciative of the interactive session and promised to continue to contribute positively towards the attainment of the transformation agenda of the present administration, which will in turn actualise the Vision 20:2020 of the Federal Government.
In attendance were, Director of Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, Abuja, Mr. James Obiekwu, who represented his Permanent Secretary, Heads of Federal Establishments in Imo State, including Mrs. Chioma Duru, the Coordinator of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) South-East, and her heads of units.
Stanley Onuachu
Corporate Affairs
NICO SEZ, Owerri