The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a prominent pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group based in Abia State, has voiced its strong disapproval of the recent decision by Governor Alex Otti to reverse all command promotions within the Abia State civil service dating back to 2015. This decision has raised significant concerns regarding transparency and fairness in the state’s administrative practices.
The Controversial Decision
Governor Alex Otti’s recent directive to reverse all command promotions in the state civil service since 2015 has sparked a heated debate. While the governor, as the chief employer of state workers, holds the authority to appoint and promote officials, FENRAD argues that this move contradicts established conventions and risks undermining the morale of hardworking state employees. The foundation’s concerns are rooted in the potential negative impact on staff members who have earned their positions through dedication and merit.
Historical Abuse of Command Promotions
FENRAD’s statement sheds light on a troubling pattern of command promotion abuse by previous administrations in Abia State since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. The foundation asserts that former governors have repeatedly exploited their authority to promote individuals to high-ranking positions, such as directors, without subjecting them to the necessary Departmental Board Selection processes. This practice, which has become an unwritten norm, allowed some employees to reach directorial positions after as little as eight to ten years of service, often based on political motivations rather than merit.
The Need for Transparency and Accountability
As an organization committed to transparency and accountability, FENRAD emphasizes that while governors have the power to reward hardworking and industrious employees, such promotions should not be politically motivated. The foundation specifically criticizes the recruitment carried out by the previous state government in December 2023, just before elections, as an example of politically driven command promotions.
“The recent reversal of command promotions made by former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu must be reviewed based on its merits, not as a political vendetta,” FENRAD stated. “There are already groups challenging this initiative as being directed against a particular demographic.”
Key Questions Raised
FENRAD poses several critical questions that need to be addressed to ensure transparency and fairness:
- Have past administrations conducted similar reversals of command promotions?
- Why is the current administration targeting promotions from 2015 to 2023 specifically?
- Has the present administration promoted workers without considering their ranks, and who benefited from such promotions?
- Are all individuals promoted by the previous administration deemed illegitimate, and if so, were these promotions conducted in bad faith?
Avoiding Ethnic Cleansing Narratives
While FENRAD does not support the “ethnic cleansing” narrative suggested by some groups, it calls for a thorough examination of the policy’s rationale. The foundation is keen to understand whether the individuals promoted were unqualified or if the promotions unfairly favored cronies at the expense of diligent staff members from other areas.
A Call for Clarity and Inclusion
FENRAD urges Governor Alex Otti to provide a clear explanation of the reasons behind this policy directive to avoid fostering division and sectionalism. The foundation highlights the need for transparency in government actions, especially in light of the high unemployment rate in Abia State, which currently stands at 50%.
“There is a need to be above board because currently, Abia has a 50% unemployment rate, a worrisome trend,” FENRAD stated.
The foundation calls on the governor to ensure that future command promotions are based on merit and hard work, rather than political or sectional considerations. FENRAD emphasizes that inclusivity and fairness should guide the administration’s actions to foster a united and prosperous Abia State.
Conclusion
The reversal of command promotions in Abia State’s civil service has sparked a critical debate about transparency, fairness, and the role of political motivations in administrative decisions. FENRAD’s call for clarity and accountability underscores the importance of merit-based promotions and the need to avoid actions that could deepen divisions within the state.
Signed:
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD)
For further information, please contact:
Tel/WhatsApp: 08033383708, 07062949232
Email: fenradnigeria@yahoo.com, info.fenradnigeria@gmail.com
Website: www.fenrad.org.ng
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Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn: @FENRADNIGERIA
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