By StarhavenTV Reporter
A retired Director of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Bukar Muhammad, has called for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s civil service, particularly in the areas of pension, staff promotion and recruitment.
Muhammad, who served as Head of the ministry’s Engineering Management Services Department, made the call in Abuja during a ceremony marking his retirement after 31 years in public service.
He said the pension system needed to be reviewed to ensure retirees receive their entitlements promptly rather than through prolonged delays or instalment payments.
According to him, retirees should also be involved in discussions and decisions concerning policies that affect their welfare.
Muhammad urged the government to consult retirees before introducing measures aimed at addressing pension and other post-retirement concerns.
He also called for greater transparency in the promotion of civil servants, saying an effective promotion system would encourage workers to improve their performance and productivity.
On recruitment, the retired director advocated strict adherence to merit, expressing concern over alleged cases where employment letters were issued without transparent recruitment processes.
He said qualified candidates should be given opportunities based on merit and the requirements of advertised positions.
Reflecting on his years in the civil service, Muhammad also spoke about the performance of engineering activities in the public sector.
He estimated that between 80 and 90 per cent of engineering work in the sector was satisfactory but said some areas still required improvement.
He identified inadequate funding and delays in government payments to contractors as major challenges affecting the successful completion of public projects.
Muhammad explained that contractors often rely on bank loans to finance government projects, adding that delayed payments could expose them to accumulating interest and reduce their expected profits.
He warned that continued delays could discourage contractors from taking on government projects.
The retired director therefore urged the government to ensure prompt payment for completed projects to maintain contractors’ confidence and improve project delivery.
Muhammad also encouraged serving civil servants to embrace continuous learning and professional development.
He urged public servants to use periods of limited official activity to acquire new skills and improve their knowledge, saying a more competent workforce would contribute to faster and more efficient government operations.
Muhammad expressed gratitude for his successful career and thanked the Ministry of Works, family members, friends and colleagues for their support throughout his years in public service.
