The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Nasarawa State chapter, has decried the continuous appointment of non-core civil servants as permanent secretaries in the state.


Mr Haruna Ewa, ASCSN branch Chairman, said this in Lagos on Tuesday at a one-day seminar organised by the union for affiliate members.


According to him, bringing people from outside without the requisite experience to serve as permanent  secretaries is one of the factor responsible for low productivity, destroying the service.


He also kicked against extension of the tenure of civil servants beyond the mandatory 35-years of service or 60 years of age.


“This if allowed to continue, will bring about permanent stagnation of civil servants who are working hard to reach the peak of their careers,” he said.


Ewa, however, noted that the association in the last 10 years had instituted an annual seminar to build the capacities of members.


He said that the participants were equipped with knowledge on the workings of labour movements and how to relate with the government to ensure better welfare for workers.


Mr Mohammed Doma, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, lauded the association for the initiative to keep members abreast of current happenings.


Doma also commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration for implementing some of the outstanding promotions of workers after more than 10 years.


He, however, called on the government to withdraw the circular stating that workers were mandated to write and pass  examination before receiving outstanding promotions.


According to him, the promotions are outstanding and workers cannot sit for any examination before they get them.


“Implement all the outstanding promotions first, then we can be on the same page to obey whatever the government wants us to do going forward,” he added.


Also, Mr Yusuf Iya, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, said that the seminar was apt giving its theme — ”Preserving the Civil Service for the benefit of the state: The Role of Trade Unions”.


Iya also commended the governor for putting smile and giving hope for career progression to workers in the state


He called on the government to dialogue and conclude discussions on the consequential adjustment on implementation of the minimum wage.


He also advised the state government to adopt the contributing pension scheme as the current system was causing a lot of hardship to retirees.