Bayelsa State Head of Service, Dr Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, has dismissed what he described as “spurious and misleading” media reports alleging that some indigenes are being sidelined in the ongoing competency test for senior civil servants on Grade Levels 16 and 17.
Speaking at a news conference in Yenagoa, Sawyer said he would ordinarily have ignored the allegations, but decided to address the matter in the public interest and to “set the records straight.”
He explained that the competency test is a routine government exercise carried out in accordance with established guidelines aimed at strengthening the digitalisation policy of the state.
According to him, the assessment is designed to ensure that senior officers possess the skills required to perform their duties effectively.
Sawyer disclosed he was surprised that some senior indigenous staff chose to take their complaints to radio stations rather than seek clarification from the appropriate authorities.
“I was shocked when I heard that people who should have asked questions about the guidelines and procedures chose instead to go on radio to discredit the exercise. We are not here to witch-hunt anybody,” he said.
Clarifying issues over eligibility, the Head of Service stated that the exercise is not open to non-indigenes, except those married to Bayelsans or whose service records reflect spousal ties to a Bayelsa Local Government Area.
He added that non-indigenes aspiring to become permanent secretaries can pursue such opportunities by transferring their service to their home states or the federal civil service, where they would be properly assessed based on their own LGAs.
Sawyer urged indigenous civil servants to remain confident in the process, assuring them that no one would be unfairly displaced or denied opportunities in favour of non-indigenes.
He advised critics of the exercise to “cross-check their facts” and noted that ensuring due process remains his responsibility.
READ ALSO: Bayelsa Govt Sets Deadline for Entrepreneurs to Submit BOI Documents
0 Comments