Government should allow Civil Servants exist honourably instead of treating them with ignominy

BY AKPANDEM
 

The traditional role of the civil service is the execution of government policy. 

The civil service is one of the visible arms of government and a source of stability; an embodiment of government in the day to day life of the people. The service helps to preserve the mystique of government and authority through the daily contact with officials at all levels including the general public. The civil service is sometimes called upon to act as the custodian of public conscience. Civil servants are the most effective critics of the government of the day because they have the singular privilege of offering the critique of public policy. The good civil servant has to endure inconvenient policies until they are changed by the government. Our history has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt, that people usually shout “hosanna” to the government of the day and crucify them when those in power have fallen from grace.

In a dynamic and unstable situation with sudden and abrupt or frequent changes in the government, the civil service plays a vital role in providing continuity and serves as the store knowledge of past decisions and procedures. The service also plays an educative role in assisting new commissioners to adapt to the realities of power and thereby, giving up some of their oppositions about the government. A man on the street in his dealing with any civil servant, experiences the government of the day. Though members of the state executive council constitute the government, the ordinary man feels the presence of government primarily through the activities of civil servants.

In developing countries like Nigeria, the civil service constitutes the machinery for economic and human resources for the mobilization of social and economic growth. It undertakes the promotion of industrial development. It serves to raise agricultural output and modernize agricultural labour. It engages in the improvement of the transportation and communication network and executes government policies on education. In developing countries where the government is looked upon for the provision of almost everything needed for decent living, the influence of the civil service becomes pervading since it is conterminous with government activities. 

The civil service is therefore like a chain in which every link is vital. No matter how good the policies of an administration may be, the extent to which the man on the street will benefit from it depends on how well such policies are executed by the civil servants. Experience has shown that the continuity and educative influence of the civil service in times of serious political crisis resulting in power vacuum can be critical in determining the course of events, at least in the short run. A considerable portion of the government’s work and civil service are clothed with confidentiality and the process of work in the civil service is government by general order. A civil servant is perhaps placed at a vantage point to see the problems of public administration in their true perspective not to talk of being in a position to offer useful advice and suggestions for the guidance of decision-makers.

It is regrettable that the civil service which has always had its traditional strength, the criterion of merit and ability, is this time corroded by the government of the day which is also influenced by appointments and promotions. Although the government of the day is bent on putting their sons and daughters into top most positions in the service; regardless of the merit or ability of such candidate, false credentials and other incriminating factors, those who got employed through this crooked pattern will find themselves to blame in the near future. 

 I am pleading with the civil servants to summon all the courage and determination that is humanly possible in order to discharge their duties without fear of favour, while forgoing those with political connections because their exploits will be traced. History has a way of repeating itself and the truth always prevails. The Nigerian civil service which is also an attribute of the British civil service having the principle of continuity of service is supposed to be regarded in high esteem but, it is being downgraded and reduced to nothing, with issues like irregular payment of salaries and allowances dominating the system.

 I pray God saves the civil servants from the hands of the present administration.