Group Kicks Against Computer Based Tests For Permanent Secretaries’ Appointment

A Civil Society Organisation has kicked against the decision of
the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to make senior officers
in line for appointment as Permanent Secretary sit for a Computer
Based Test to qualify for the position.

The Era for Sustainable Leadership and Accountability Initiative
(ESLAI) threatened that it would picket venues of the scheduled
examinations, if organisers insist on the test.

The group, in a statement signed by its leader Edwin Olorunfemi
on Sunday in Abuja noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had
approved the process to select five new permanent secretaries to
replace five other retired ones in Ekiti, Katsina, Nasarawa, Enugu
and Lagos States.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr
Folasade Yemi-Esan in a recent statement said that 47 candidates
had been cleared to sit for a written examination to fill the five
vacancies.

The candidates were to sit for written and Information
Communications Technology (ICT) examinations to select the best
five that would fill the vacant posts.

The group however described the process of subjecting a director
to ICT proficiency test in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Application which was expected of the support staff, as
laughable.

“If anything, it is making a mess of the candidates and the
entire civil service.

“Our stand still remains that the written and ICT examination
slated for May 31 and June 3, be dropped.

”It is worthy of note that, for a civil servant to rise to the
level of director, he/she must have sat for about 10 examinations
from Grade level 08 to Grade level 17,” the group argued.

“On this backdrop, we are appealing to the Federal Government to
drop the idea of written and ICT examination as it is tantamount to
waste of time and resources.

“However, we request the government to appraise and appoint
permanent secretaries on their past contributions as directors to
national development.

”The written examination and ICT proficiency test of May 31 and
June 3, be collapsed into oral interviews and interactive sessions
for the 47 successful accredited candidates.

“Candidates should be asked on-the-job questions and their
achievement so far in their respective positions as directors.

”With this, the best three candidates from each state can be
recommended to Mr President for the appointment,” the group
submitted.

Mr Olorunfemi expressed hope that the Federal government would
heed to the advice and act accordingly. (NAN)

A Civil Society Organisation has kicked against the decision of
the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to make senior officers
in line for appointment as Permanent Secretary sit for a Computer
Based Test to qualify for the position.

The Era for Sustainable Leadership and Accountability Initiative
(ESLAI) threatened that it would picket venues of the scheduled
examinations, if organisers insist on the test.

The group, in a statement signed by its leader Edwin Olorunfemi
on Sunday in Abuja noted that President Muhammadu Buhari had
approved the process to select five new permanent secretaries to
replace five other retired ones in Ekiti, Katsina, Nasarawa, Enugu
and Lagos States.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr
Folasade Yemi-Esan in a recent statement said that 47 candidates
had been cleared to sit for a written examination to fill the five
vacancies.

The candidates were to sit for written and Information
Communications Technology (ICT) examinations to select the best
five that would fill the vacant posts.

The group however described the process of subjecting a director
to ICT proficiency test in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Application which was expected of the support staff, as
laughable.

“If anything, it is making a mess of the candidates and the
entire civil service.

“Our stand still remains that the written and ICT examination
slated for May 31 and June 3, be dropped.

”It is worthy of note that, for a civil servant to rise to the
level of director, he/she must have sat for about 10 examinations
from Grade level 08 to Grade level 17,” the group argued.

“On this backdrop, we are appealing to the Federal Government to
drop the idea of written and ICT examination as it is tantamount to
waste of time and resources.

“However, we request the government to appraise and appoint
permanent secretaries on their past contributions as directors to
national development.

”The written examination and ICT proficiency test of May 31 and
June 3, be collapsed into oral interviews and interactive sessions
for the 47 successful accredited candidates.

“Candidates should be asked on-the-job questions and their
achievement so far in their respective positions as directors.

”With this, the best three candidates from each state can be
recommended to Mr President for the appointment,” the group
submitted.

Mr Olorunfemi expressed hope that the Federal government would
heed to the advice and act accordingly. (NAN)