Demands list of defaulters for possible sanction

Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has expressed worry over high level of absenteeism and lateness to work among civil servants in the state, including permanent secretaries.

“The level of absenteeism among senior and junior workers in the secretariat is disappointing,” he lamented. Namadi, during an unscheduled visit to the secretariat, where he noticed that majority of the workers had yet to report to duty, said: “A situation whereby majority of the workers are absent, honestly, saddens me. That both senior and junior workers are yet to report to work by 11a.m. is disturbing.”

According to him, it is difficult for the state to progress with such attitude, stressing: “We must bear in mind that nobody outside JIgawa will come to develop the state for us. All the workers are indigenes. Remember, we all promised to be frequent and dedicated while taking the offer and letter of appointment.”

He called for a change of attitude among civil servants for the state’s development. During the unscheduled visit, the governor met only three permanent secretaries and the accountant-general, as well as few directors.

A senior officer from the office of the Head of Service (HoS), on condition of anonymity, said the governor directed them to take the list of absentees.

“As I talk to you, we are doing just that. We are compiling the list of all permanent secretaries, directors and other senior officers, who were absent during the unscheduled visit by the governor this afternoon.”

Governor Namadi was at the secretariat about 11.30a.m. and went round the ministries and agencies in the complex, where he remained till noon, only to discover that only few workers, mostly messengers, cleaners and junior staff, were present.