The Delta State Verification Committee has reaffirmed the integrity of its ongoing verification exercise, addressing concerns raised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on due process and workers’ rights, which includes clarification on the applicability of the 2001 circular and the ten-year limit on record amendments.
Presiding over a meeting held at the Commission’s Conference Hall, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and Head of the Screening Committee, Noble Roseline Amioku explained that the compulsory retirement of some officers arose from discrepancies discovered during their screening.
She stated that falsified dates of birth, irregular certificates, and other questionable records were uncovered, adding that the Commission was compelled to act to safeguard the credibility of the Civil Service.
The Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service Commission, who also serves as Secretary to the Screening Committee, Mr Frederick Yoro cleared the air on the erroneous interpretation of a circular that Civil Servants bio data could be tampered. He cleared that the circular being quoted allows officers to change their recorded dates of birth only within the first 10 years of first appointment into the Service based on certain criteria and that, however, this does not stop the Civil Service from correcting the dates of birth of officers who have been caught concealing their real dates.
The Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service Commission, who also serves as Secretary to the Screening Committee, Mr Frederick Yoro cleared the air on the erroneous interpretation of a circular that Civil Servants bio data could be tampered. He cleared that the circular being quoted allows officers to change their recorded dates of birth only within the first 10 years of first appointment into the Service based on certain criteria and that, however, this does not stop the Civil Service from correcting the dates of birth of officers who have been caught concealing their real dates.
The Permanent Secretary went on to quote the Public Service Rules PSR 04430 which states that concealment of any of the facts which an applicant for government employment is required to make in compliance to with rule 02207 or any false statement in that regard or in any application for employment shall be regarded as sufficient grounds for non-employment or for subsequent termination of appointment without notice if the falsehood is detected after engagement
He equally clarified the provisions of the March 30, 2001 circular signed by then Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Mr. Samuel Omekeh. The circular outlined procedures for timely retirement notices, transfers, and break in service, next-of-kin documentation and restrictions on data changes, noting that the Committees work was consistent with those guidelines.
In his remarks, the Senior Policy Adviser to the Delta State Government, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon commended the Committee and the NLC for addressing emerging concerns with maturity. He urged sustained dialogue between both parties, assuring that the state government remained committed to fairness, transparency, and industrial harmony.
Speaking for workers, the Chairman of the NLC, Delta State, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, disclosed that the union had initially considered issuing a seven-day ultimatum to halt the exercise. According to him, the union received reports that some officers were allegedly being compelled to alter their records or risk retirement and stoppage of salaries.
However, Ofobruku noted that after meeting with the Commission and reviewing its findings, the NLC recognized that the process was being carried out in line with Civil Service Rules.
He went on to appreciate the Committee for retiring erring officers instead of outright dismissal/termination as entrenched in PSR 04430.
The verification exercise remains ongoing, with assurances from both government and labour that it would uphold discipline while ensuring fairness to workers.
