The Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa disclosed this when a team of FCT Civil Service Commission led by its pioneer Chairman, Engr. Emeka Ezeh paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He said that going-forward and with the approval of the President, any civil servant that will be posted to the Commission will be made to sign a five year-bond- an agreement that will make staff stay for this period in the Commission before leaving elsewhere service-wide.
He added that the bane of the Federal Civil Service Commission has been staff migrating out of the Commission for greener-pastures. “People go where there is money. But the truth of the matter is the Commission is not set up to run projects,” he said, noting that it is a service Commission.
He assured the Chairman, FCT Civil Service Commission (FCT-CSC) that the Federal Civil Service Commission will give all necessary support and guidance to his team to succeed as he aimed to build an effective and professionally oriented Civil Service Commission for the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, “It is only our duty to provide the required guidance as a matter of right. You need to be guided.”
He praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bar. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for making history by taking the bold decision of establishing the foundation for public administration practice in the FCT as seen through his inauguration of the Commission.
The Chairman said bureaucrats applaud it when government takes a far reaching political decision as done by the FCT-Minister which elevates public administration to another height, adding that such action deserves maximum support not only to ensure its utmost success but accord such initiative a desirable compliments so that the objective of government can be achieved to the fullest extent possible.
While informing the delegation that the Federal Civil Service Commission was to have its Secretary soon to make it a full-fledged organization that will not rely on pool officers, he commended FCT-CSC for having a substantive Secretary that makes it a true establishment.
He told the FCT-CSC delegation that their Commission has limitless opportunities to be innovative unlike the FCSC that he called “inherited baggages” which he said was very tough dealing with the current bureaucratic structure, stating that FCSC staff need re-orientation.
He emphasized that FCSC would have been a game-changer for him if he had a fresh start like FCT-CSC as it would allow him to determine the kind of management system he wants.
Stating those changes the FCT-CSC Chairman needs to make to succeed, Olaopa pointed out that the Commission should try its best not to inherit the old-school baggage and outdated practices which can make the Commission not to be relevant.
He said the life-span of the FCT-CSC Commission is very short but takes a very smart leader to re-think the place. He also called for administrative efficiency that is driven by technology.
He noted that any system that has not increased its digital penetration is four generations backwards.
He emphasized that FCT-CSC should pursue professionalism and strive to become ISO compliant and a centre of excellence in terms of administrative efficiency.
Speaking earlier, FCT-CSC Chairman, Engr. Emeka Ezeh who came in company of his Commissioners and Secretary of the Commission, Mallam Umar Sander Kuso, disclosed that coming to the Commission was the first outing of the team after their inauguration by FCT-Minister.
Ezeh said the reason for their visit was to thank the Chairman for attending their inauguration and also, to secure the Commission’s guidance, collaboration, and support as they embark on the job of establishing the new FCT Civil Service Commission.
He informed that the Act setting up FCT Civil Service Commission was signed into law on August 24, 2018; and charged the Commission with the responsibility for appointments, promotion, discipline, and transfer of civil servants to the civil service of the Federal Capital Territory.