The Kano State Head of Service, Usman Bala, has explained the reasons behind the recent introduction of competency examination for the state civil servants.

He said the measure would serve as a yardstick for promoting officers not only on the basis of satisfactory years of service but on performance and ability to deliver the exigencies of official responsibilities on the promoted grade.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Enlightenment, Civil Service Commission, Musa Garba, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday.

According to Garba, the HoS made the clarification when the chairman of the state CSC, Dr. Umar Minjibir, led the management staff of the commission on a courtesy visit to the HoS on Tuesday.

“The competency examination is aimed at serving as a yardstick of promoting officers not only on the basis of satisfactory years of service but on performance and ability to deliver the exigencies of official responsibilities on that particular grade,” Garba quoted the Head of Service as saying.

Bala further maintained that efforts are being made to encourage and improve the adoption of Information and Communication Technology in the daily running of government businesses.

He emphasised the need for the review of succession plans in the service to immediately fill the vacuum left behind by the retiring officers.

Earlier, the CSC chairman reiterated the commission’s readiness to partner with the government and non-governmental organisations to improve the state’s civil service.

He explained that collaboration between the commission and the office of the HoS would ensure a robust and vibrant civil service enviable in the country.

He commended the HoS for the review and realignment of the service’s instruments in tune with the global best practice.

The CSC chairman called on the HoS to take the necessary measures to sanitise and forestall the Audu Bako Secretariat against all forms of intrusion and the conduct of unwarranted activities that continued to constitute a nuisance to the working environment.

He then Implored the intervention of the HoS for the review of the induction course for fresh employees as well as the training and retraining of civil servants to enhance their capacity.

Minjibir also revealed that all outstanding cases of promotion and transfer of service have been completed and notification to that effect would soon be issued. (The PUNCH)

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