Federal government has inaugurated the Steering and Project Implementation Committees for the service-wide personnel audit and skills gap analysis.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the HCSF, Mrs Eno Olotu, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Walson-Jack said the initiative, approved under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was aimed at building a modern and efficient civil service.
She said the audit would determine the size, structure and skills composition of the workforce, as well as identify competencies required for future service needs.
The initiative, according to her, will establish a verified, digital personnel database linked to the National Identification Number, NIN, and Bank Verification Number, BVN.
She explained that the database would eliminate ghost workers, correct inconsistencies in staff records and provide an accurate workforce profile.
“The initiative will also identify skills gap in critical areas such as ICT, project management, public finance and data analysis.”
The HCSF added that it would strengthen training programmes, enhance Human Resource Management systems through the Human Resource Management Information System, HRMIS, and achieve efficiency gains by blocking leakages and eliminating redundancies.
She said the exercise was developmental rather than punitive, adding that it was designed to reposition the civil service for present and future challenges.
Walson-Jack said the steering committee would be chaired by her, with membership drawn from key permanent secretaries, Accountant-General of the Federation, Director-General of the Budget Office, the presidency and relevant consultants.
She added that the committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Common Services, Office of the HCSF, Dr Danjuma Kalba, would comprise senior directors from the office of the HCSF, representatives of the Accountant-General’s office, Federal Civil Service Commission and retired senior officers.
According to her, the committee will handle methodology validation, data collection, compliance checks and reporting.
Walson-Jack charged both committees to commence work immediately, stressing the need for professionalism and integrity.
She said the Steering Committee is expected to conclude its work within six months, while the Implementation Committee would deliver its report within four months.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies, Office of the HCSF, Dr Deborah Odoh, described the initiative as a step towards an efficient, productive and accountable civil service.
Also speaking, Kalba commended President Tinubu for approving what he described as a bold reform which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda. NAN
