Chukwuma Soludo has signalled a possible restructuring of the state’s civil service following an unscheduled assessment visit to the State Secretariat in Awka.
The governor carried out the visit on Thursday to evaluate staff conduct, punctuality and overall commitment to public service across various ministries and departments within the state bureaucracy.
During the inspection, Soludo interacted directly with civil servants to assess the prevailing work culture and level of dedication among government workers.
Offering a candid assessment of his observations, the governor described the situation as a mix of “the good, the bad and the ugly.”
He commended what he described as disciplined and committed workers within the system, noting that civil servants who consistently demonstrate professionalism and adhere to official work hours remain critical to the administration’s development agenda.
However, Soludo warned that non-performing staff who fail to align with the government’s vision for a productive civil service could face disengagement.
Addressing the issue of absenteeism and lateness, the governor stated that the era of poor work ethic and entitlement within the civil service was coming to an end.
“Those who fail to meet time-keeping standards will be shown the way out. The era of lacklustre performance and entitlement in the civil service has come to an end,” he said.
Soludo explained that the administration is currently implementing key reforms aimed at transforming the civil service into a more agile and efficient institution capable of delivering effective governance.
According to him, the reforms are built around three major pillars, including the deployment of digital technologies to improve workflow processes, strengthen transparency and enhance service delivery.
The governor also emphasised the importance of stronger supervision and evaluation through rigorous performance tracking to ensure accountability at all levels of the public service.
In addition, he noted that the government would continue investing in infrastructure within the secretariat complex to create a more conducive working environment for employees.
“We have invested significantly in this place. The ongoing infrastructural upgrades must be reciprocated with a renewed sense of duty and productivity from the workforce,” Soludo added.
The governor said the surprise inspection underscores the administration’s determination to reposition the state’s bureaucracy into a high-performing system capable of delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Anambra State.
He added that through the integration of technological innovation and strict disciplinary oversight, the government intends to ensure the civil service remains efficient and responsive to the needs of citizens.
