Date: 2012-02-20

The Kwara State Government has raised the alarm that some directors in the civil service have allegedly been paying lobbyists to help them qualify for the  promotion examination into the Permanent Secretary cadre.

Besides, the Head of Service (HOS), Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed, who raised the alarm, also claimed that his office was in possession of information to the effect that some civil servants are already allegedly 'doctoring' their files to prolong their stay in office. 

He distanced his office from the two acts.
Mohammed's statements came just a week after he told newsmen that about 145 people have so far been caught by his office over the practice of 'doctoring' of age in service. 

At the event, which was to showcase the introduction of performance contract for civil servants in the state, Mohammed also revealed that some 23 others have been affected by the biometric investigation of workers being done by his office.

The HOS said 100 among the 145, who were alleged to have doctored their ages to avoid early retirement from service, were from the Ministry of Health while the remaining 45 were from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.

It will be recalled that state government had also last week cancelled the recruitment of about 600 primary and junior secondary school teachers recently conducted by the state's Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) on the basis of claims that the recruitment was illegal as it allegedly did not follow due process.  

The exercise, which was conducted about two weeks ago, also led to the transfer of some directors in the Board, although it was claimed that the transfer was a normal exercise.

Mohammed, who made the latest claim while addressing  workers after the monthly 'Health Walk' organised by his office, warned of dire consequences for anyone caught in the process of either collecting money as front for anyone in his office or any worker found tampering with his or her service records. 

He tasked the civil servants on the need to redouble their efforts and dedication to the state government.

His words: "News got to us that some people are paying money so that they would be able to write exam for Permanent Secretaryship position. This is not correct. If anybody tells you to bring one naira, you can write the name and send it to me direct and I will investigate because we have never taken money from anybody and I can assure you that it would never happen in Kwara.

"If the Civil Service Commission or anybody asks you to bring money, report to the office of the HOS. In fact, even the enrolment form is free of charge. Those doing it must desist, because if we catch them, they would face the penalty. What they are doing would damage the image of government.

"We also have information that some workers are doctoring their files to prolong their stay in service. If you overstay, you are keeping some people away from getting to some position. If you have attained age 60 or 35 years in service, retire honourably otherwise, there are many ways we can deal with you."

Earlier in his address to the event, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Kayode Towoju, who stood in for Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, urged the workers to imbibe the habit of regular exercise, noting that regular exercise would help to reduce unnecessary visits to hospitals. He said every government needs workers who are sound in body and soul who can then become effective engine of government.