Embrace Digital Transformation; Wike charges FCT Civil Service

By: Wisdom Acka & Okeke Makuochukwu

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has urged the FCT Civil Service Commission to fully embrace digital transformation, as part of strategic imperatives to improve the civil service in the administration.

The Minister stated this at a three-day retreat by the FCT-CSC held at the Armed Officers’ Mess, Abuja on Tuesday, with the theme “Building a 21st Century Civil Service Commission: The Role of the FCT Civil Service Commission”.

Represented by the Head of Civil Service of the FCT Civil Service, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang, Wike said the Civil Service must also prioritise continuous learning and professional development of staff, to equip workers with the latest knowledge.

He said the Commission was at the heart of ensuring a Civil Service that is not only effective and efficient but also innovative and responsive to the needs of the 21st Century; noting that the Commission must lead the way in implementing e-governance solutions, and enhanced service delivery through technology.

His words: “The FCT Civil Service Commission is at the heart of our efforts to ensure that our civil service is not only effective and efficient but also innovative, adaptive, and responsive to the needs of the 21st Century.”

The digital revolution is reshaping every aspect of our lives, and the public sector is no exception. To build a 21st Century Civil Service, we must fully embrace digital transformation. This means investing in cutting-edge technologies, developing digital skills among our workforce, and fostering a culture of innovation. The Commission must lead the way in implementing e-governance solutions, streaming processes, and enhancing service delivery through technology, he said.

According to him, “the landscape of public service is constantly evolving, and so is most of our skills and knowledge. We must prioritize continuous learning and professional development for our staff. This entails regular programmes, workshops, and opportunities for higher education”.

In his address, the Chairman of the FCT-CSC, Emeka Ezeh, appreciated President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister, for the establishment of the Civil Service in the FCT, as part of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the administration.

He highlighted challenges that may be faced by the CSC, especially from disgruntled illegal workers, and those who did not favour the progress of the FCT Civil Service; adding that the Commission will carry out its responsibilities “without fear or favour”.

“We are not unmindful of the fact that a new body like the FCT Civil Service Commission will naturally be met with some apprehension by those who are not too sure yet of the responsibilities of the commission. We expect to see those who found their way into the FCT Public Service illegally mount a campaign of calumny against the Commission, and even against the FCT administration. These are normal in a setup like this,” he said.

The Chairman disclosed that the Commission had gotten the digital bio-data of over 30,000 staff of the FCTA, through its “full-fledged ICT Department”, approved by the FCT Minister, which was now awaiting analysis, as a highlight of the CSC’s adoption of technology in the discharge of its duties.