OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF SERVICE

Head of Service Alh Habibu Balarabe Yakubu

At the inception of the administration of His Excellency, Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, FNIA in May, 2007, the Government outlined its Agenda and one of the cardinal issues, was the re-invigoration of the Public Service. Towards achieving this goal, improvement of the welfare of civil servants and pensioners, human capacity building which involves training and retraining of workers; establishment of e-governance in Government transactions as well as reforms in certain spheres of the Public Service were outlined. Over the period of twenty-five (25) months tremendous strides have been made on these critical areas that concern the public service.

The Office of the Head of Service is therefore, to provide leadership and direction to the Civil Service by maintaining high morale, esprit-de-corps and good image of the Service, fostering professionalism manpower development and capacity building for effective and efficient execution of Government policies and programmes towards rapid socio-economic and political development of the State in the context of the 11 point Agenda.

A new remuneration package

A new remuneration package was approved for medical staff to arrest the mass exodus of doctors and paramedics from the state and to attract others into the state’s health sector, which took effect on December 2007. Doctors call duty allowance was increased by 376%, inducement allowances, hazard allowances, rural posting allowance and journal were increased by 15%, 100%, 30% and 50% respectively for doctors, pharmacists and laboratory scientists. While for Nurses and Other Professionals category call duty allowances, shift allowance, hazard allowance, rural posting allowance and inducement were increased by 162%, 60%, 100%, 30% and 15% respectively. Other clinical supplementations include consultants 220% and non-medical consultants 80%.

Re-invigoration of the Public Service with fresh graduates

During the period 1989 – 2000 the service witnessed an embargo on employment which resulted in dearth of middle level manpower in the State Public Service. It was observed that besides the ageing population in the service, the dire need for injection of new blood into the system was imperative.  To address the problem, Government, between May, 2007 – May, 2009 recruited over 6,916 graduates and non graduates in various disciplines to fill the critical areas of need. The MDAs that received approval for the recruitments are as follows:

These recruitments involved graduate teachers largely Science disciplines, Engineers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Agriculturist, Medical Doctors, Administrators, computer Scientists and a host of other professionals.

PROCUREMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF LAPTOP COMPUTERS

TO CIVIL SERVANTS

Four thousand (4,000) units of Laptop Computers and Printers were procured for distribution to the Civil Servants on loan basis repayable in three years. The total cost implication for four thousand computers is N592, 000,000.00 at N148, 000.00 only per unit. Government has however subsidized the cost by N30, 000,000.00 thus reducing the cost of each unit of the computer from N148, 000.00 to N140,500.00 per unit. This gesture is to enable the Civil Servants in the State possess personal computers, train themselves and become computer literate to meet the present challenges thrown by the information communication Technology (ICT) and our resolve for e-Governance in the State. 

OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED IN 2010

1.  Professionalism among Civil Servants in the State;

2.  Capacity building of the Civil Service;

3.  A virile Civil Service that adequately responds to the yearnings and aspirations of this esteemed Administration;

4.  e-Governance compliant Civil Service;

5.  Computer –literate Civil Service to conform with the present information                                     Communication Technology (ICT).

TRAINING AND RE-TRAINING

When this Administration assumed Office on May 29^th, 2007 no sooner did it settle down when it unfolded far reaching reforms aimed at improving service delivery and up-scaling the skills and competencies of civil servants.  In line with the global drive to ensure e-Governance; a number of reform measures were embarked upon to realize the objective.  A road map was  designed which involved computer ICT training of civil servants in the State,  procurement of computer laptops and desktops and the installation of Broadband internet facilities to cover the metropolis.

Towards implementation of this project, Honourable Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries as well as Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals were trained in ICT.  The training was an e-Governance initiative put in place to promote the optimal use of ICT in ensuring efficient, transparent and accessible Government.  This was preceded by the distribution of two hundred (200) laptops to Honourable Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive of Parastatals.

Having trained the top Public Officers in ICT, this Administration similarly trained eight thousand (8,000) civil servants of various categories as a first phase to ensure that the e-Governance initiative covers the whole service. 

The sum of one hundred and sixty five million five hundred and eighty eight thousand nine hundred and fifty naira sixteen kobo   (N165,588,950.16) was expended for the training at the State Government employees.  The adoption of ICT training in the civil service has led to an appreciable improvement in service delivery through reduction in red-tapism and bureaucratic bottlenecks which enhanced performance and productivity.  Workers are now positioned to compete favourably in an increasingly ICT driven environment thereby enhancing mobility of labour.

In the same vein, MDAs received unprecedented support from the Government for the training and retraining of personnel to update their knowledge and skills for sustained productivity.  For the period May, 2007 to June 2009, a total of 2027 (two hundred and twenty seven) personnel received training through workshops, seminars and short courses with the total financial implication of one hundred and sixty four million one hundred and ninety three thousand four hundred and fifty naira sixteen kobo (N164, 193,450.16).

Staffs of the Head of Service Office were sent on specialized training in addition to those conducted by the Department of International Development (DFID) and the World Bank.

The total Financial implication of the training conducted is  N20,779,600 as per the breakdown below:

• Workshops/regular training                 N4,484,600.00

• Workshop on Anti-corruption Drive       N16,295,000.00

• Total                                                 N20,779,600.00

A Summary of the training undertaken for the period under review is as         follows:

Upgrading of the Staff Development Centre (SDC)

In order to create conducive learning environment, instructional and infrastructural facilities are being provided to upgrade the State Staff Development Centre (SDC).  The Staff Development Centre which is being supervised by the Bureau of Establishments, Management Services and Training is considered as very vital in the implementation of the public service reform being embarked upon by the present Administration. Presently, the World Bank with counterpart funding from the Kaduna State Government has awarded the construction of additional block of classrooms, Library and Computer Laboratory, among others things to the tune of one hundred and twenty million (N120,000,000.00).

The project is part of the counterpart funding of the State Government in the World Bank Assisted State Governance and Capacity Building Project. Presently work has reached an advanced stage and the contractor has been paid over 50% and the project is expected to be completed by 31^st May 2010. Upon satisfactory completion, the World Bank will be invited to furnish and equip the structure.

CONSTRUCTION OF A BLOCK OF 5NOS OFFICES

In addition, Government has also awarded another contract for the construction of a block of 5nos offices in the institution at the cost of N17 million. These two projects when successfully completed will assist in positioning the centre for the challenges that lay ahead of it.

Promotion/Advancement

Promotion and Advancement of staff have always been carried out in respect of those qualified as at when due. The Government has been consistent on this in order to boost the morale of staff.

In order to create conducive learning environment, instructional and infrastructural facilities are being provided to upgrade the State Staff Development Centre (SDC).  The Staff Development Centre which is being supervised by the Bureau of Establishments, Management Services and Training is considered as very vital in the implementation of the public service reform being embarked upon by the present Administration. Presently, the World Bank with counterpart funding from the Kaduna State Government has awarded the construction of additional block of classrooms, Library and Computer Laboratory, among others things to the tune of one hundred and twenty million (N120,000,000.00).

The project is part of the counterpart funding of the State Government in the World Bank Assisted State Governance and Capacity Building Project. Presently work has reached an advanced stage and the contractor has been paid over 50% and the project is expected to be completed by 31^st May 2010. Upon satisfactory completion, the World Bank will be invited to furnish and equip the structure.

CONSTRUCTION OF A BLOCK OF 5NOS OFFICES

In addition, Government has also awarded another contract for the construction of a block of 5nos offices in the institution at the cost of N17 million. These two projects when successfully completed will assist in positioning the centre for the challenges that lay ahead of it.

Promotion/Advancement

Promotion and Advancement of staff have always been carried out in respect of those qualified as at when due. The Government has been consistent on this in order to boost the morale of staff.

Appointment of 24 New Permanent Secretaries

In order to revamp the civil service machinery and re-invigorate the civil service, twenty four (24) new Permanent Secretaries were appointed in May, 2009.

  Creation of New Departments

In pursuance to Government Reform Agenda in the State, additional three (3) new Departments have been created in the Office of the Head of Service. They are as follows:

            (i)         Special Duties Department;

            (ii)        Manpower Development and Management Training Development; and

            (iii)       Corporate Planning Department. 

                        In the same vein, Bureau for Public Service Reform has been created. 

The departments and the Bureau are to be headed by Permanent Secretaries.

Re: Introduction of Written Promotion Examination of Civil Servants

To build a virile civil service, this Administration decided to re-introduce the written promotion examination for civil servants with effect from last year in addition to oral interview hitherto being carried out.

The examination which has since started shall be taken by all eligible officers from GL.07 – 16.  This is with a view to promoting excellence in the service.

From the foregoing, it can be said that the Administration under the able leadership of His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, FNIA is impacting positively on the civil service within its two (2) years of assumption of power and has laid a solid foundation for the transformation, re-orientation and refocusing of the civil service for effective and efficient service delivery to the citizenry.

Staff Turn-over

For the period under review, the total of 6,916 personnel of various backgrounds was recruited into the service, while one thousand six hundred and thirty two (1,632) left the service.  Of this number, 1,190 retired and 458 died in service.  Most of the retirements were on account of reaching the statutory retirement age or attaining the period of 35yrs in service. The Administration is doing a lot to enhance the working environment of staff to attract and retain personnel in the service of Kaduna State Government.

Head of Service: Improved Welfare Package, Pension & Gratuity

This Administration’s resolve to uplift the standard of living of civil servants in the State became manifest in its 1^st month of coming into Office.  The Government approved the implementation of 15% increase in allowances to all civil servants in the State and for employees of Local Governments in the months of May and August, 2007 respectively.

Other salary increases approved by the Administration were as follows:         

(i)         HATISS salary for the Tertiary Institutions in the State

In order to maintain standards and sustain existing manpower in   our Tertiary Institutions, Government approved 100% HATISS salary    for all categories of staff in respect of Shehu Idris School of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi, College of Nursing, Kafanchan, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria and College of Education, Gidan Waya.  This gesture was aimed at boosting the morale of the Lecturers and Staff for effective and efficient service             delivery.

Further more, Government has set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Head of Service to workout modalities for the implementation of Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary      Structure (CONTISS) in the state in order to bring their salary at par with sister Institutions at Federal level and to discourage brain drain.   Again, the issue of over taxation which was a source of serious agitation was amicably resolved with Government             extending tax relief and waiver to them.     

(ii)        Implementation Of Enhanced Remuneration Package For Public And Political Office Holders

The Administration of Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo FNIA in line with the recommendations of the National Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission graciously approved in February, 2008 an enhanced remuneration package for Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals.  Other Chief Executive Officers of Parastals were upgraded to Grade Level 17 with a view to raising their morale and productivity.

In line with this, a total sum of N106, 898,221.25 was disbursed to Permanent Secretaries in the period under review as Rent and Furniture allowances.  While loan of N144, 752,920.00 was similarly advanced to them for the purchase of vehicles all with a           view to enhancing their economic well being and working condition.   

(iii)       Implementation Of 27.5% Teachers Salary Structure (TSS)

The Kaduna State Government is amongst the few States in the Federation that implemented the 27.5% Teachers Salary Structure          in February, 2009 for all Teachers in the State’s Primary and Secondary Schools.  This is in addition to the 5% increase in their basic salaries approved and implemented in March, 2008.

(iv)       Review of Allowances for Medical Doctors and Other Medical   Personnel

In order to attract and retain specialized manpower, this Administration consciously approved the upward review of         allowances to Medical Doctors and other health personnel in the State to be at par with their Federal counterparts.  Huge investment in the Healthcare delivery sector was also made by government to improve the level of service delivery. 

(v)        Micro-Credit Loan Scheme For Civil Servants

In fulfillment of its promise to continue with the existing micro-credit loan scheme in view of its far reaching successes, Government raised the yearly grant of N100 million being paid into the micro-credit revolving fund to N200 million in 2007.  The administration further doubled the provision to N400 million in the year 2008.  In the two (2) years of the life of the administration, the total sum of six hundred million (N600 million) has been disbursed to two thousand four hundred and twenty (2,420) Senior and Junior civil servants.  The micro-credit loan scheme was established as a revolving fund in 2004 to assist civil servants with soft loans in the areas of transportation and housing refurbishing.

(vi)       Official Working Hours

In order to establish a more flexible working hours and reverse the trend of man hour loss, this Administration adjusted the official working hours for the Public Service with effect from 1^st July, 2008 as follows:

            (i)         Mondays         -           Thursday         -           8:00a.m           -           4:00p.m

            (ii)        Fridays             -           8:00a.m           -           1:00p.m

With the more convenient official working hours, civil servants have  appreciated this kind gesture and are giving their best of service to humanity.

PENSION & GRATUITY

In 2008, this government, in line with its policy of Pension Reforms increased the pension allowance of both state and local government pensioners by 15% which became came into effect from 1^st August 2008. Similarly, in March 2009, Government approved Retirement and Death benefits to workers across the State to provide succour to the families of the retirees/bereaved.

This Administration has been consistent in paying civil servants their salaries and Leave Transport Grants as at when due.  There have never been cases of any arrears of salaries or leave transport grant against Government.  Also, overhead costs for the smooth running of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies etc are released regularly on a monthly basis thus sustaining the tempo of implementation of Government policies and programmes.

Pension Reforms

In order to rectify the problems being associated with the Pay As You Go system under Government funded pension scheme, the present Administration has approved the replacement of the system with the new Contributory Pension Scheme which came into effect 1^st March, 2008.  Under the new scheme, the employer contributes 10% while the employee contributes 5% of his basic salary thus making a total contribution of 15%.             

The 15% employer and employee contribution is being paid into the employee’s Retirement Savings Account on monthly basis.   As at 31^st May, 2009 the sum of two billion eighty two million six hundred and thirty two thousand eight hundred and fifty six naira thirty kobo (N2,082,632,856.30) has been paid into the scheme with the State Government contributing the sum of eight hundred and ninety seven million six hundred and thirty two thousand eight hundred and fifty six naira thirty kobo (N897,632,856.30)  in respect of State civil servants being its 10% contribution.  Similarly, the Local Government Councils have contributed the sum of one billion one hundred and eighty five million naira (N1,185,000,000.00) in the respect of the employees of Local Governments and State Universal Basic Board (SUBEB).  In the same vein, public servants have been contributing 5% of their monthly basic salary since the commencement of the scheme.

The Contributory Pension Scheme is an innovation aimed at ensuring that a retiree receives his/her benefits without the hardships associated with the pay-as-you-go system.  Already, a Law has been promulgated, establishing the new contributory pension scheme in the State and the creation of two (2) Bureaux for the two Pension Boards i.e Bureau for Local Government Staff Pension and Bureau for State Pension.  These Bureaux are headed by Permanent Secretaries. 

Retirement Redemption Bond

In order to ensure prompt settlement of retirement benefits under the new scheme, the sum of five hundred million naira (N500,000,000.00) has been in the Retirement Redemption Fund Account based on a monthly deposit of twenty million naira (N20 million).

Similarly, in respect of the existing pay-as-you-go pensioners, Government has continued to pay their monthly pension as and when due.  It is on record that Kaduna State has stood out in prompt settlement of gratuity and pensions of retirees.

Establishment of Group Life Assurance Cover for the Public Service

In line with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2004 the State Government has established Group Life Assurance Cover Scheme for Public Service.  The scheme provides for the paying of three times the annual salary of a staff who died in active service to his next of kin.  Presently, claims to the tune of about one hundred and twenty million (N120 million) in respect of one hundred and fifty (150) deceased public servants who died between 1^st Mach, 2008 to 29^th February, 2009 are being processed by Messrs Leadway Assurance, the lead underwriter engaged by Government to manage the scheme along with other two (2) Insurance Companies.  When these funds are paid by the underwriters, they would be released to the families of the deceased staff.

IMPROVEMENTS ON OTHER WORKING CONDITIONS

Office Spaces, Guest lodges

There has been tremendous improvement in the areas of Office accommodation, the Government guest lodges at the State house, maintenance and building of new Offices during the period under review. Government has spent the total sum of eight hundred and five million two hundred and seventy eight thousand one hundred and             twenty-two naira five kobo (N805, 278,122.05) in the construction, renovation and furnishing of some Offices. The summary of repairs, renovation and construction of new Offices are as follows:

Office Equipment and materials

Government has procured and distributed Office equipment and materials to MDAs at the total cost of one hundred           million four hundred and three thousand ninety nine naira twenty kobo (N100, 403,099.20). This equipment are to facilitate the efficient and effective conduct of Government business and comprise the following:

Vehicle Loan

As a mark of appreciation for the pivotal role Civil Service is playing and in this administration’s desire to motivate them to the more, in 2008 Civil Service Day, vehicle Loan for top level civil servants were approved. Moreover, a colossal amount of money was disbursed to junior cadre civil servants as micro-credit loans

Mobility

One of the major sources of low morale, poor supervision of projects and general low level of productivity in the service is the issue of non availability of functional and serviceable vehicles.  In order to reverse the ugly trend, a total of two hundred and ninety seven (297) assorted vehicles were purchased and distributed to MDAs in the last two (2) years.  The financial implication is  N1,158,133,139.19 and the summary of vehicles purchased and distributed is as follows:

Effective Unionism within the State and Local Government Services                

Another area where a giant stride has been recorded is in the sustenance of industrial harmony which is a sine-quanon to increased productivity.  As partners in progress, Government has continued to involve organized Labour in its activities as well as engaging them in negotiations of salary reviews and other Labour matters to arrive at mutual and agreeable terms.

Government has also released the sum of twenty-six million naira (N26,000,000.00) for the purchase of 20No. 10 seater buses 2007 to revitalize the Labour flight as a means of easing the transportation problem of the civil servants and members of the public.  This is in addition to many other support Government had given to Labour movements, so that they remain focused and vibrant in the discharge of their obligations to their members and the public.

2010 BUDGET ON CIVIL SERVANTS AND PENSIONERS

The civil service is the vehicle that every Government rides on to deliver on its promises to the people. It is therefore, in the interest of the Government to maintain that vehicle well for effective service delivery.  This is why Governor Namadi sambo considers it a must to reform the State Civil Service and build its capacity to standards that compare with the best anywhere.  For the past two (2) years, the World Bank and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) have been assisting the State in undertaking self-assessments in areas of Policy and Strategy, Public Financial Management and Public Service Reform aimed at repositioning the civil service to be at the forefront in the implementation of Government’s developmental programmes enunciated in the eleven-point agenda (EPA).

 “In continuation of our efforts to better the lot of the Civil Servants and Pensioners, adequate provision has been made from the Micro-Credit and Human Development Funds for their welfare to which they can access. Other provisions are for Housing and Car Loans. This will enable civil servants obtain their own cars and houses. Also, the sum of N150million has been earmarked to cater for further specialized training and development while E-Governance and State Internet Backbone has an allocation of N300million. Personnel Costs is estimated to be N17.741billion, while Pensions and Gratuities which we pay as at when due has an allocation of N3billion. These are significant increases from the previous year’s allocation. The essence of the increase in all these packages is to further motivate the workforce to put up an optimum performance towards positively high yielding productivity and output. Pensioners shall continue to enjoy their retirement benefits which we pay regularly”…Arc Namadi Sambo, FNIA

Governor Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo is a true democrat, whose approach to problems is always humane and conciliatory he is a man of peace who patiently looked to the future with courage and hope. His commitment in the direction of transforming the state into a relatively better integrated and functional polity is continuing  with a mission  to create a stable  and cohesive polity capable of securing effectively the interests of the various communities and giving them the opportunity to develop and live in peace  with one another.

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