By Darasimi Kikelomo
In a recent statement, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has underscored that the immediate focus of his administration does not include hiring new personnel for the state’s civil service. This announcement was made during a monthly media interaction session held in Umuahia.
Governor Otti clarified that addressing existing issues within the civil service takes precedence over introducing new hires. He highlighted an existing embargo on new employment, emphasizing its continuation until the government resolves ongoing challenges within the civil service.
Expressing concern over the inflated size of the civil service despite previous verification efforts, Otti lamented the substantial monthly wage bill, estimated at approximately four billion naira for both local government and state employees.
However, Otti assured citizens that efforts were underway to enhance remuneration for civil servants. Acknowledging the presence of underperforming individuals within the service, the governor emphasized the need for strategic interventions to address this issue.
He explained that while recruiting new personnel is not currently a priority, the government aims to explore avenues for streamlining the workforce, possibly through the phased exit of non-contributing staff. Otti acknowledged the challenge posed by civil service regulations regarding staff termination but outlined plans for enhancing training opportunities to improve overall performance.
The establishment of the Civil Service Commission, alongside the appointment of a new Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing staff capabilities and efficiency within the civil service.
Governor Otti concluded by affirming the administration’s dedication to ensuring that civil servants receive adequate training to optimize their skills and productivity levels, ultimately leading to improved service delivery for the people of Abia State.
