TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ruined the civil service in its sixteen years in power.

Speaking when he swore in new permanent secretaries in Abuja on Wednesday, the president said past administrations destroyed the systems of checks and balances within the civil service.

He lamented that this had undermined service delivery to the citizens in the past years, to the benefit of the elite.

“Past administrations abused, undermined and destroyed the systems of checks and balances within the civil service that were meant to protect and preserve the interest of our citizens,” Buhari said.

“This abuse of power significantly enriched a few privileged individuals while at the same time making majority of our fellow citizens poorer and underserved.

“As a result, many Nigerians lost confidence in government and its ability to deliver the required guidance and service to our people.”

‘WE HAVE DELIVERED’

The president, who is seeking reelection into office, insisted his government has delivered on its core mandates of fighting corruption, security and improving the nation’s economy.

According to him, in less than four years, “we have made progress on all fronts working very collaboratively with the civil service.”

Buhari charged the new appointees to key “into the administration’s programmes aimed at reforming Nigeria and restoring the confidence of Nigerians in government and the civil service.

He also urged the permanent secretaries to eschew partisanship in their decisions and actions while carrying out their duties.

“Therefore, l wish to take this opportunity to solicit your support and cooperation as we implement all the programmes of government in a result -oriented manner that will leave an indelible legacy,” he said.

“You must strive to achieve excellence at all times. Your motto should be civility and serviceability.”

The new permanent secretaries are: Abel Omuyiwa Enitan (Osun), Mohammed Dikwa (Borno), Ajank Olor (Delta) and Festus Daudu (Nasarawa).

Others are: Mbaeri Nnamdi (Imo), Bakari Wadinga (Adamawa), Babatunde Lawal (Lagos), and Umakhihe Afolabi (Edo).