Abia to establish central database for civil servants

In its bid to forestall the falsification/mutilation of documents/records by some workers when approaching retirement age, the Abia State government has concluded arrangement to establish a formidable central database in the civil service.

Bernard Ogbonna, the acting chairman, 2016 Budget Committee and permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance, Abia State, who disclosed this in Umuahia when Vivian Uma, the state head of service was defending the 2016 budget proposal of his office, said the database would be sited at the office of the accountant, auditor general and Abia State Planning Commission, respectively.

If for instance a worker succeeds in falsifying his records in planning commission it would be difficult to do same in the other offices where the database are located, Ogbonna said.

The acting chairman of the 2016 Budget Committee, who assured on the readiness of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration to implement the budget to its letter when passed into law, requested the head of service to look into the payment of overtime wages to some workers who do not work for it.

Vivian Uma, the Abia head of service earlier in his speech, enumerated the achievements of his office, which included regular payment of salaries and allowances, promotion of public servants, strengthening payment of pensions and pension verification with strong database information system and effective sensitisation of the state workforce to enhance productivity and efficiency among others.

The HOS disclosed that the challenges of his office included: lack of vehicles, inadequate funding, lack of office accommodation and inadequate office equipment, and assured to improve on the working condition of the workforce to enhance general productivity.