Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
The Abia State government has given every assurance that the Civil Service Reform Committee would engender a total break from the old way of doing things and usher in effective, transparent governance.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Due Process, Dr Oluebube Chukwu gave the assurance while speaking with journalists on the ongoing wind of reforms blowing across the structures of governance.
Governor Alex Otti recently inaugurated a nine-member Reform committee, composed of individuals with diverse range of expertise, with Dr Chibueze Ukaegbu as the chairman.
“This assembly of experienced professionals underscores the seriousness with which the committee’s mandate is being pursued,” the SSA on Due Process said.
Other members of the Committee include the State Attorney General, Ikechukwu Uwanna; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Emmanuel Oriaku; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chinedu Ekeke;
Also in the Committee are the Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Father Christian Anokwuru; the Account General of the State, Dr Njum Onyemenam; Matthew Ekwuribe, Dr. Sylvester Ibeneme, and Chief Ogbonna Izima.
The Committee is entrusred with the pivotal task of reviewing the existing civil service structure and the command promotions carried out from 2007 to the present day, alongside other essential matters.
The chairman of the Reform Committee explained that the governor’s decision to set up the Committee “stems from the recognition of the crucial role that a well-functioning civil service plays in translating government policies into actionable outcomes”.
According to Chukwu, “a reformed civil service will contribute to the creation of a new Abia that caters to the needs of its populace”.
He stated that Otti remains resolute in his decision to run a government characterised by due process hence he has taken deliberate steps to make the civil service fall in tune with his vision.
The SSA on Due Process re-echoed the governor’s emphasis that the Committee was not set up for targeting individuals, but rather at creating a better civil service for the benefit of all.
He said: “By establishing the committee, Governor Otti’s administration is demonstrating transparency and accountability in addressing the issues within the civil service.
“The committee’s mandate to review appointments, promotions, and dismissals from 2007 to the present day reflects a commitment to fair and equitable review.
“This process aims to ensure that decisions made in the past were in accordance with established procedures and that any inconsistencies or biases are identified and rectified”.
In order to achieve the set goal, the committee was empowered to make “appropriate recommendations” to improve various aspects of the civil service, including attendance, discipline, and addressing pensioner concerns.
Dr Chukwu said that recommendations would “be based on a thorough review of existing processes and practices”.
“Considering recommendations is an integral part of the Due Process, as it ensures that decisions are informed by comprehensive analysis and input from experts,” the SSA said.
