To encourage a more effective Civil Service, the House of Representatives have resolved to investigate promotion stagnation in the Federal Civil Service from 2013–2023.
This is as the House also asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately constitute the National Council on Public Procurement in accordance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
This followed two separate motions by Hon. Salman Idris (ADC, Kogi) and Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (APC, Edo) which were unanimously adopted without debate by the House at plenary on Tuesday.
Leading the debate for his motion, Hon. Idris recalled that Section 169 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), provides for the establishment of the Civil Service of the Federation, while Section 170 equally provides for the establishment of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
He said the Civil Service is an Organ of Government headed by the Head of Service of the Federation, responsible for the leadership management and capacity development of the Federal Civil Service which is the engine room of Government and Administrative machines for implementation of policies and programmes of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He stated that, promotions are essential for the career progression of Civil Servants which serves as a motivational incentive for productivity and performance.
He said over the years, stagnation in promotions across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government has resulted in loss of Service delivery, a decline in highly specialized skills, low level of productivity and performance, employee unrest, corruption, and dampened morale.
He stresses that the Civil Service requires a comprehensive reform to prioritise timely and fair promotions and remuneration to align with Global best practices.
He argued that promotion stagnation in the Civil Service requires urgent intervention to achieve government policies and programmes.
He maintained that promotion stagnation affects the career of an officer in service, as every Civil Servant is expected to reach his career peak within 35 years in active service or by the retirement age of 60 years.
On his part, Hon. Omoruyi said the Public Procurement Act was enacted to regulate government activities and ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in procurement processes.
He said further that Section 1 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 mandates the establishment of the National Council on Public Procurement, adding that the National Council on Public Procurement is essential for oversight, regulation, and standardization of procurement practices across Government Agencies.
He said the composition of the NCPP includes representatives from various interest groups in the country as contained in Section 1(2) (a)-(g) of the Act to ensure inclusive stakeholders’ participation in National Development.
He expressed concern about the long absence of the National Council on Public Procurement undermines the objectives of the Act and hampers procurement processes.
Omoruyi said the last administrations of Umaru Yar Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari have refused to inaugurate the National Council on Public Procurement as prescribed by the Act, adding that the Federal Executive Council has continued to usurp the most important functions of the National Council on Public Procurement.
He said there was the need to constitute the National Council on Public Procurement in accordance with Section 1 of the Public Procurement Act 2007 which is crucial for transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government procurement processes.
