The Federal Government has revealed that the investigation into civil servants who continue to receive salaries from Nigeria after relocating abroad is ongoing, vowing to ensure that those identified are adequately sanctioned.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, made this known on Monday in Abuja while responding to a question during a news conference to mark her 100 days in office, where she reeled out several achievements, including reforms and innovations intended to transform the Federal Civil Service to a world-class status.
She also spoke on the ongoing efforts to achieve harmonisation of salaries of workers in public service.
Walson-Jack clarified that the government has not abandoned the issue, disclosing that a verification exercise was conducted through the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS), where some civil servants tendered voluntarily retirement letters.
According to her, the government is committed to identifying individuals who are benefiting from the system after relocating overseas for greener pastures. She vowed that nobody would be allowed to eat their cake and have it.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, a few months ago ordered a thorough investigation into the sharp practices to ensure those involved were punished.
The Head of Service said: “When the issue came up, there were some verifications done. Some of them quickly came back, while some honourable retired. So right now, in order to sustain the momentum, we are still scrutinising, using the IPPIS to know who is here and who is out.
“I think that will be a continuous process to ensure that people are not having their cake and eating it by going outside the country and still receiving their salaries. Some progress has been made in this regard and we will keep on watching out to ensure that it is completely dealt with,” she said
Speaking on job racketeering and corruption in the civil service, the head of service said even though her office is not in charge of recruitment, it is working closely with the Federal Civil Service Commission to eliminate all forms of fraudulent recruitment practices.
She vowed that any individual who obtained a job through unlawful means would be sanctioned.
Walson-Jack also reassured civil servants that the government is working assiduously to ensure the provision of mass and affordable housing for civil servants under the Federal Government Integrated Staff Housing Programme (FISH).
She acknowledged the high cost of rent, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while also recognising that housing is key, saying there are ongoing partnerships aimed at building more houses for civil servants to alleviate their plight in securing accommodation.
She noted that the first 100 days in office are a significant milestone as they offer an opportunity to reflect on the achievements recorded, perform a thorough audit of progress, and identify the goals ahead.
“This milestone is being commemorated under the theme “Marching to Greatness,” which was inspired by the Federal Civil Service Anthem,” she said.
The Head of Service added, “Since assuming office on 14 August 2024, my commitment has been clear: to fast-track, accelerate, and sustain the reforms outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP 25).
“This strategy is the blueprint for transforming the Civil Service into a professional, efficient, and globally competitive institution.
“To this end, we set up and inaugurated seven ‘war rooms,’ each dedicated to overseeing one of the six pillars of the FCSSIP reforms and the enablers. These war rooms ensure that no initiative is neglected and that progress is both measurable and impactful.
“Understanding the need for a cultural shift within the Civil Service, I directed the publication and dissemination of the Federal Civil Service Anthem and the Culture Change Video. These initiatives are not merely symbolic; they stand for our collective aspiration to instil a renewed sense of purpose, integrity, and pride in the service of our nation,” she stated.
Walson-Jack, as part of her efforts to modernise the civil service, also launched the Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy, an e-learning platform designed to empower civil servants with the knowledge and skills needed for their roles.
Alongside this, the Service Wise GPT—a digital repository of information about the Civil Service—has been developed to serve as a vital resource for both seasoned officers and new entrants.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more.
Join our WhatsApp Channel now