Joel Ajayi

Thee Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa has assured the Chairman, FCT Civil Service Commission (FCT-CSC) that Federal Civil Service Commission will give all necessary support and guidance to his team to succeed as he aimed to build effective and professionally oriented Civil Service Commission for the Federal Capital Territory.  

Olaopa made this known when a team of FCT Civil Service Commission led by its pioneer Chairman, Engr. Emeka Ezeh paid him a courtesy visit in his office today.  He pledged his unalloyed support for the delegation on the task of building the FCT Commission. 

 “It is only our duty to provide the required guidance as a matter of rights. You need to be guided”. 

He equally praised the Honourable 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 on the 18th March, 2024.  

 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 heights; 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-fledge organization that will not rely on pool officers, he commended FCT-CSC for having a substantive Secretary that makes it a true establishment.

He added that the bane of the Federal Civil Service Commission has been staff migrating out of the Commission for greener-pastures.  “People go to where there is money. But the truth of the matter is the Commission is not set up to run project. It is a service Commission”  

He disclosed 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 5year-bond- an agreement that will make staff stay for this period in the Commission before leaving elsewhere service-wide. 

 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 it was very tough dealing with the current bureaucratic structure that is not easy to manage, stating that FCSC staff need re-orientation.

Commission boss 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 but not possible to have a fresh with bureaucratic structure on he met ground. 

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 baggages 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. According to him, any system that has not increase its digital penetration is four generations backward.

Olaopa equally said the Commission should performance-manage where it would put itself under performance-bond with target set for what it wants to achieve in the next five-years. He emphasized that FCT-CSC should pursue professionalism and strive to become ISO compliant and centre of excellence in terms of administrative efficiency.   He called on the FCT-CSC to collaborate with the Commission to avoid duplication of what the Commission has already done in its recent Seminar. 

FCSC Chairman  advised that FCT-CSC forthcoming Seminar should have sub-theme that will discuss functions, powers and responsibilities as well as the challenges and opportunities in the Civil Service Commission.  Olaopa said the FCSC Seminar from 13th to 16th May 2024 is an event that will set the tone for FCT-CSC first level Seminar.

  He revealed that it is very important for FCT-CSC to engage with FCT-Head of Service (FCT-HOS) to start on sound footing. According to him, the two organizations have defined functions that complement each-other like Siamese twins and not to be in competition.   

 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 on the 18th March, 2024. 

 Ezeh said the reason for their visit was to thank the Hon. 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.  

 He used the occasion to invite the FCSC Chairman to their roundtable meeting coming up on the 13th to 16th May, 2024 which aimed at charting a way forward for the FCT Commission, He said Prof.
 Olaopa is expected to facilitate a session at the meeting where he will speak on: “Civil Service Commission structure and functions” between 9.30am and 11:00am followed by question and answer session.    

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