By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has urged the Chairman and members of the State Civil Service Commission to look into and address the issues of absenteeism and the dereliction of duties which is plaguing civil service in the State.

Mutfwang gave the charge on Tuesday during the swearing-in of the five-man team at a brief event at the new Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.

Represented by his Deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo, he pointed out that the dual issues undermine service delivery, and erode public trust in government institutions.

He said, “This event reflects our collective commitment to strengthening the backbone of government operations, the Civil Service, for advancing our State. The Civil Service remains the engine that drives government policies and programmes.

“Its effective and efficient functioning is key to addressing the needs and aspirations of our citizens. Your appointment to this noble responsibility is a call to serve, reform, and reposition the Civil Service as a model of good governance and effective service delivery.

“The citizens of Plateau State look to you to nurture a civil service that is not only innovative and responsive but also fully committed to the highest standards of accountability and dedication.”

The Governor, among other things, added, “One critical area that demands immediate attention is the issue of absenteeism and dereliction of duty by some public servants. This challenge undermines service delivery and erodes public trust in government institutions.

“I charge you, as the leaders of the Civil Service Commission, to confront this issue head-on. You should establish robust mechanisms to monitor attendance, assess performance, and hold accountable those who fail to uphold their responsibilities. Let us work together to instill a culture of discipline, dedication, and professionalism across the civil service.

“I urge you to spearhead reforms to re-engineer the civil service for enhanced service delivery. Modernizing systems and processes, embracing technology, and fostering a culture of innovation are vital steps toward building an efficient and responsive workforce.”

Responding on behalf of his team, the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Paul Wai, thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve and noted, “We don’t take this appointment for granted. We will build on the foundation the Governor has laid to reposition the civil service. We will do our best and not disappoint the confidence in us.”

The newly inaugurated Chairman and members of the Commission are: Professor Paul Wai, Mr. Francis Bot, Mrs. Martina Dakur, Mr. Ishaya Ikpiri, and Mrs. Esther Danagei.