By Francis Nwaze
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, I watched a troubling incident that has shaken the reputation of civil servants within the Federal Ministry of Works. The unfortunate spectacle of civil servants openly berating and making unguarded utterances to their minister is not only shameful but also a stark departure from the decorum and professionalism traditionally associated with the civil service. It is imperative that we, as the general public, condemn such behavior and encourage the minister to remain undeterred in his efforts to rectify the wrongs within the ministry.
What I watched as displayed by the Civil Servants in the Federal Ministry of Works is a total aberration of what a civil servant’s character represents.
I have been disturbed by the h*rrific outing displayed by these people in the name of demanding to be “carried along”. No respect, no regard, just a complete display of t*uting. I sincerely weep for this country at this very moment.
The civil service has long been regarded as a bastion of professionalism, impartiality, and dedication to the service of the nation. Civil servants are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and ethics while discharging their duties. This is precisely why the recent incident at the Federal Ministry of Works is so deeply troubling. It represents a breach of trust and a disregard for the principles that underpin our civil service.
What is particularly concerning is the use of unguarded utterances and disrespectful behavior towards the minister. Such conduct not only reflects poorly on those involved but also nearly tarnishes the reputation of the entire civil service. Civil servants are meant to serve as the bedrock of governance, offering impartial advice and support to elected or appointed officials. When they resort to unruly behavior and disrespectful language, they undermine the very essence of their role in government.
The above has made me to be tempted to believe that our greatest challenge at the moment is not the leaders but the led, if this had occurred in a sane environment, I am certain that those involved must be facing their punishment for disrespect to constituted authority. Is it safe to say that there is no hierarchy any longer? A representative of the President of our dear nation is treated in such a manner for making efforts to right wrongs and nobody is saying a thing in condemnation of such an outing?
Honestly, this is about stating the facts. I am shocked till this moment of such public display by the body we expected to be guided by the rule of law. Surely, you don’t make a point by damaging the table that you will eventually rest your hands on.
The general public should express their disapproval of this incident and those involved should be brought to book. The civil service should not be a place where indiscipline and disrespect thrive; it should be an institution that upholds the rule of law and respects the hierarchy of authority within the government. By condemning such behavior, we send a clear message that we expect our civil servants to maintain the highest standards of professionalism.
Furthermore, it is essential to encourage the minister to remain steadfast in his commitment to righting the wrongs within the ministry. The challenges faced by the Federal Ministry of Works are undoubtedly complex, and addressing them requires dedication, transparency, and a willingness to confront difficult issues. The minister should not be discouraged by this incident but rather emboldened to push forward with reforms and improvements.
In addition to the aforementioned concerns, it is important to highlight a significant aspect of this incident. The working hours for civil servants within the Federal Ministry of Works had been adjusted to start at 9:00 am, a decision made with an understanding of the unique circumstances in Abuja. However, it is essential to emphasize that if a civil servant cannot adhere to this adjusted timing, the proper and professional course of action is to communicate this through written information to the appropriate authorities.
