Buhari Warns Civil Servants Against Corruption, Incompetence

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday warned Permanent Secretaries and the entire civil service against corruption, indiscipline, Incompetence and excesses.

Buhari gave the warning as he swore 16 of the 18 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries into office. The remaining two were said to have traveled overseas on official assignment.

His words ;
“I must, however, sound a note of warning.  It is within public domain that Ministers as Chief Executives of their Ministries as well as other Government officials involved in policy formulation and implementation often complain of the intolerable levels of incompetence, indifference or even suspected sabotage by some of the top echelon of the Civil Service.

“Even where Permanent Secretaries, in some instances, are exempted from these accusations, they are still responsible and liable for failing to provide the required leadership, control and direction.

“This Administration will not condone any excesses, indifference, incompetence, and corrupt practices in any form. Permanent Secretaries are therefore advised to note these words of caution and disseminate them to all Civil Servants accordingly.

“I am sure the Permanent Secretaries and all other Civil Servants appreciate the fact that I have always considered the Civil Service as an indispensable reservoir of experience, expertise and loyalty.  I, therefore, consider the Service as a dependable ally in my quest to change this country for the better.”

The president urged the new permanent secretaries to see their appointments as an emergency call to duty.

“This Government was voted into power by popular mandate to implement clearly articulated programmes and policies to re-generate and re-invigorate the national economy. The main focus is to create employment for the youth, fight corruption, tackle insecurity, and diversify our economic base with emphasis on agricultural development, solid minerals exploitation as well as provision of infrastructural services.

”This at a time when the nation’s economy and revenue base are very low will task the capability and capacity of any Government.  This is why you have been chosen and you should all regard your appointments as an emergency call to duty," he said.