Nigeria commences review of local government scheme of service

A presidential committee was inaugurated on Monday.

The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, on Monday inaugurated a presidential committee to review the Scheme of Service for Local Government Employees.

Inaugurating the 11-member committee in Abuja, Mr. Turaki said the review would significantly reduce the challenges in the realisation of the transformation agenda.

He said that the inauguration marked the beginning of a review of local government administration in Nigeria.

Mr. Turaki said the schemes of service had been overdue for a review, adding that the current edition was produced in 2006.

He gave the terms of reference for the committee to include reviewing the current scheme and liaison with the Establishment Department of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, to incorporate approved cadres in the scheme.

The committee is to produce a draft copy of the scheme.

Mr. Turaki said the committee was expected to complete its assignment in earnest, to enable the ministry to present the documents for validation by stakeholders.

“Until now, efforts have been made by stakeholders to minimise the systemic challenges in local governance in Nigeria.”

He said that the review was borne out of the existing collaboration between the ministry and the UNDP, to strengthen local governance and development.

He said the committee was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the scheme was reviewed in line with the Federal Civil Service and global standards.

“This effort would in no small measure help to curb rural-urban drift of manpower; as it stands today, the teeming youth of the nation prefer working in the city centres than small towns and villages after graduation.

“If the conditions of service are made attractive, most of them would be encouraged to seek employment at local level.”

Speaking on behalf of other members, Halidu Ibrahim, representing North Central, said that the committee would deliver as expected.

He called on the ministry to look at the possibility of job evaluation, which would help check ghost workers in the local governments.

The committee has Umaru Ambursa as Chairman; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Taye Haruna, as member; while Rufia Attahiru, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs in the Ministry would act as secretary of the committee.

(NAN)