ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – President Bola Tinubu has directed all civil servants collecting salaries from government after they have relocated abroad to make refunds.
He also directed that the supervisors and departmental heads of the culprits must be sanctioned for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch.
Tinubu gave the directive at the award night organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF) to commemorate the 2024 Civil Service Week and honour some outstanding civil servants in core ministries.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, he expressed dismay over the attitude of the ghost workers.
“During my recent visit to South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities. I was particularly struck by the revelations shared by the Head of the Civil Service, regarding employees who had relocated abroad but were still drawing salaries without formally resigning.
“It is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address this issue, but we must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.
“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected. Their supervisors and departmental heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch.” Tinubu reiterated that the government would take appropriate measures to ensure they were punished and the money refunded to the government’s treasury.
He acknowledged the challenges in the civil service and reiterated his commitment to address them for optimal performance.
“Our administration acknowledges the challenges the civil service is facing.
I want to give you the assurance that we are committed to ensuring the welfare and development of all civil servants to deliver optimal performance for the growth of our nation.
“Over the past year, I have provided all the necessary support to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure the continued stability of the civil service.
“I also supported the office in implementing far-reaching policies and reforms capable of improving efficiency and service delivery, ” the president said.
Other activities to mark the night was the presentation of top three prizes to the winners and additional N500, 000 cash prizes to 40 workers.”
Making the presentation, the HOCSF, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, announced the top three prizes won by three lucky officers at the event.
“The star prize is a brand new 2023 JAC JS4 luxury model SUV; the second is a two bedroom semi-detached bungalow; and the third top prize is a serviced plot of land measuring 400 sqm.
“I am also pleased to announce that the Nigeria Customs Service is graciously committed to donating six Toyota Camry cars in support of the 2024 civil service week.
“The office has started receiving the vehicles, and these will be presented as prizes to the next set of runner-up of the best performing officers,” she said.
A staff of the Ministry of Transportation, Dr Mercy Ilori, won the star prize.
She thanked Yemi-Esan, the Federal Government on behalf of other awardees for the gesture and the honour done to them. The event marked the end of a weeklong programme for the 2024 annual civil service week.
