El-Rufa’i and the civil servants

Recent events concerning certain key issues in the administration of our dear State has become a source of worry and fear, particularly in the minds of civil servants and well-meaning citizens. The way and manner the state government under the stewardship of Governor Nasiru El-Rufai is run calls for concern and words of caution because […]

Recent events concerning certain key issues in the administration of our dear State has become a source of worry and fear, particularly in the minds of civil servants and well-meaning citizens. The way and manner the state government under the stewardship of Governor Nasiru El-Rufai is run calls for concern and words of caution because of the gross violation of human rights.

The issues are many and people seem to be silent over them, but the recent speed and dexterity in the implementation of the Government so-called reforms especially on the Civil Service draw attention to the fact that one should no longer remain silent. The foundation of justice and equity is being abused, while the dignity of workers is being thrown to the dustbin all in the name of government policy. 

The latest issue is the eviction of civil servants from government quarters. It’s noteworthy to observe that these houses were constructed purposefully for the civil servants by the government of Northern Region. No successive administration had ever tempered with this arrangement. But Governor El-Rufa’I, since assuming office, has been using security agents to intimidate, evict and disgrace legal occupants of these government quarters. This is currently assuming a more dangerous dimension as civil servants are being rendered homeless. The reason behind this action is to auction the houses to politicians, their families and cronies. In the process, the GRA houses would be taken over which today remained the only proud assets of the state.         

Another issue is that of the so-called Civil Service reform by the ‘Accidental Public Servant’ who knows nothing about the civil service, yet feels he is the best reformer of it. 

With all his desire to save cost, he cleverly designed ways of downsizing the Civil Service and promoting ‘Corporate Governance’ that would not work even in advance communities. Under this, thousands of civil servants are slated for sacking while the work they do remains would be left for the so-called hybrid individuals they are bringing into the system to further destroy it.

This does not augur well for a fully mature state like Kaduna which is just few months away from celebrating its fifty years as a state in Nigeria.

My prayer therefore is for Governor Nasir El-Rufai to have a re-think on this.

But most importantly some of our elders, who have worked for the state when some of us were not yet born or in school, are alive. They should be the point of consultation by the Governor, and surely the best would come out from these elders. Finally, Government should halt the so-called reforms, evictions and intimidation. It is not government’s responsibility to use its power to get landed property for politicians. This has never been done in any democracy.

Alternatively, the government has opportunity to open up areas for its people in the virgin lands available everywhere in our state. 

Aminu Sule, Kaduna.